By Shiprah Kwagala
Locals in Iganga district have asked that more vaccination centres are put in place as incentive for a higher uptake of Covid-19 booster doses.
Records as of December 18, 2022 indicate that only 453,000 people have taken a booster dose out of an eligible population of 28.5 million people. In a televised address on Tuesday giving highlights on the health situation in the country, President Yoweri Kaguta directed all Ugandans last vaccinated in six months to go for shots.
“All those who were last vaccinated more than 6 months ago should immediately receive a booster dose.”
Meanwhile locals like Fred Ntambi, running a drug shop in Iganga town mentioned that while he has considered getting a booster dose for some time, he has failed to find time to show up at a health facility for it. “It would be easier for me if there were open vaccination centres like before so that the moment I come across one along the way, I get the jab.”
Another Iganga resident Dauda Isabirye, who noted that he was not aware that booster doses were available at health facilities, said that he would find time to walk there. He too emphasised that handling the vaccination silently at health centres alone would not help, instead he thought centres should be opened up at public points to give people awareness.
Experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend booster doses in every six months considering factors such as vaccine effectiveness weakening over a period of time, laxity in public health measures as wearing of face masks and possible emergence of new variants.
Booster doses according to research provide additional protection of the most vulnerable populations as the elderly and those with underlying comorbidities.
According to an article by the United Nations Human Rights Experts on universal access to vaccines, the state is responsible for availing as much information as is needed for individuals everywhere on issues like booster doses to enable uptake.
“Relevant information on the COVID-19 pandemic and response should reach all people, without exception. This requires making information available in readily understandable formats and languages, including indigenous languages and those of national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.”
A number of locals before the initial president directive were unaware of booster doses, a major challenge highlighted by health workers as well, better now a few have picked an idea. At the moment 43 percent of the 28.5 Million people have received a single dose.