Cabinet to receive report on vaccination hesitancy

ELLANIE SMITWINDHOEKA report on Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy in Namibia will be presented to Cabinet.This report will focus on the findings of focus group discussions held last year in nine regions with low Covid-19 vaccination rates.All the recommendations will be taken into account to inform continued government interventions in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic in Namibia.This is according to information and communication technology ministry executive director Mbeuta Ua-Ndjarakana, who provided an update on progress made with the national Covid-19 vaccination campaign launched last August.He was speaking at the launch of the tourism sector drive for Covid-19 this week.Ua-Ndjarakana said from 8 to 23 December the ministry partnered with the health ministry to jointly conduct focus group discussions on vaccination hesitancy, targeting nine regions with low vaccination rates, namely Zambezi, Kavango East, Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati, Oshikoto, Kunene, Otjozondjupa and Omaheke.Gathering informationThe focus groups collected baseline data on Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy and the public’s attitudes towards vaccination.The objectives of this exercise were to gather information about people’s knowledge, perceptions and beliefs surrounding Covid-19 vaccination.It also aimed at gathering information about factors related to hesitancy and acceptance of the Covid-19 vaccination within the communities, including myths and misconceptions.It further wanted to identify effective and appropriate channels of communication that these communities trust and prefer, and to identify the main sources of information on Covid-19 vaccination in the community.According to Ua-Ndjarakana the campaign was jointly developed with the health ministry through the Nationhood and National Pride Programme.It aims to encourage and mobilise Namibians from all walks of life to get vaccinated, and to debunk rumours and misinformation that are contributing to vaccination hesitancy.“The information obtained through the focus group discussions will help the health ministry understand the reasons why people are hesitant to get vaccinated despite government’s efforts.”AwarenessHe said equally important, it creates awareness of issues related to Covid-19 vaccines in the communities and measures to put in place to reach herd immunity.“The constituencies’ involvement was crucial to the success of this exercise because these are people at the grassroots and better understand the different reasons why people do not want to get vaccinated and will be able to advice on the what can possible be done to scale up Covid-19 vaccination uptake in the country.”He further explained that the national vaccination campaign is part of the government’s national response strategy aimed at creating awareness and educating the public on the importance of Covid-19 vaccines.Ua-Ndjarakana said that thus far the Information and Publicity Cluster has undertaken roadshows and community engagement exercises across all the 14 regions in order to interact with the public, create vaccination demand and to spread the campaign message in all corners of Namibia from 21 October to 10 December.About 77 606 citizens got vaccinated with their first dose during the roadshow period.ellanie@namibiansun.com

Cabinet to receive report on vaccination hesitancy

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Namibian Sun 2022-05-29

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Cabinet to receive report on vaccination hesitancy

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Namibian Sun 2022-05-29

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