3.4 million have received Covid jabs in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam. Some 3.4 million people in Dar es Salaam have been vaccinated against Covid-19, according to regional commissioner Amos Makalla.

He made the revelation yesterday during a voluntary walk organised by (AKHST) in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) with the aim of promoting public awareness of Covid-19 vaccination.

He said the number is above the target, which was set at 3.3 million people.

“The Population and Housing Census of 2022 shows that there are 5.3 million people in Dar es Salaam, so I believe we are in a good position, and if this education continues to reach the people, more will be vaccinated” Mr Makalla said.

He said the number is above the target, which was set at 3.3 million people.

The RC said that in addition to vaccination, it is important to exercise to strengthen immunity against other diseases and to keep fit and healthy.

The AKHS medical director, Dr Harrison Chuwa, said the walk was part of a $9.5 million partnership between the EU and AKDN that aims to improve systemic responses by taking into account gender issues in order to overcome health and economic consequences of Covid-19 in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique.

Dr Chuwa said Sh3.8 billion has been allocated for the project in Tanzania to be implemented in Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, Lindi and Mwanza regions, and it is expected that more than 700,000 people will be reached.

He said that in strengthening health systems, the project has supported the repair and installation of equipment in the intensive care unit of Amana Referral Hospital, which also attends to patients with Covid-19 and other respiratory diseases.

“Covid-19 was an important lesson on the preparedness of health systems, and part of the preparedness includes public health security through awareness and vaccination,” he said.