MOH TO START ADMINISTERING JOHNSON AND JOHNSON’S COVID-19 VACCINE IN LUSAKA FIRST, TO BE FOLLOWED BY OTHER PROVINCES

The Ministry of Health has announced that administering of the Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine doses that arrived in the country yesterday will commence tomorrow Friday 23 July 2021 with Lusaka being the first province to start the program.

And the proposed vaccination facilities that have been announced for administering of Jansen for Lusaka District include, the University of Zambia

Islamic Centre, Pop square, Bauleni special needs school, Cavendish University, showgrounds OYDC, Chawama basic school, Evelyn Hone college.

And Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Technical Services Dr Kennedy Malama has advised Zambians not mix vaccines, saying if someone has been vaccinated with AstraZeneca, they should not take the Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine.

Speaking during the routine COVID-19 update today, Dr Malama advised Zambians to avoid this as it is not recommended.

“We urge members of the public not to be misled by people who may not mean well as we have noted that there is a lot of falsehood being peddled on the vaccines particularly on the online media.” He said.

“As we distribute the different types of vaccines in our approved vaccine basket, we wish to reiterate that our current guidance and policy on the vaccination programme does not recommend mixing and matching of vaccines.” Dr. Malama added.

Dr. Malama has also thankes the cooperating partners, the United Nations Family, Private sector, Civil Society Organisations, leadership at various levels, academia, research institutions, the media and members of the public for the support this far.

“We urge you all not to relent but to continue showing solidarity to the fight against COVID 19 and indeed to other health programs.”He said.

Meanwhile in the last 24 hours, Zambia recorded 1,158 new confirmed COVID-19 cases out of 6,167 tests conducted representing a 19% positivity.

“Today marks the third consecutive day that we have had the overall national positivity below 20% and it is our sincere hope that in no time this will drop further to below ten percent and subsequently to the desired less than five percent.” Dr. Malama said.

He added that there is need for concerted efforts of all members of the public in being compliant to the public health and social directives and measures for the desired positivity rate to be attained.

And 34 new COVID-19 related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours. 32 of which have been classified as COVID-19 deaths and 2 as COVID-19 associated deaths.

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