... CABINET MINISTERS GET BOOSTER SHOTS

MBABANE – The best preparedness for the fourth wave is vaccination!

The above statement was made by the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi, following the rollout of booster shots in the country amid the new variant, B. 1.1.529 also known as Omicron. Cabinet ministers were among the first to receive the COVID-19 booster jab yesterday. Nkosi said despite the Omicron being a completely different variant, the basic virus was the same and vaccination provided protection from severe illness.  She stated that the country had more than enough vaccines for those who would be taking it for the first time as well as the booster jabs.

According to the minister, due to the plenty vaccines available in the country, they have requested their suppliers to stop delivering orders for now as the vaccines were likely to expire. “We need to think out of the box in terms of the vaccines which are currently stored in the refrigerators. We can share with other countries that really need them.” She said already Eswatini was expecting more vaccines.

Vaccination

The minister stated that the numbers of the total population vaccinated was still very low, at 23. 1 per cent, adding that there was no other way to protect against COVID-19 other than getting vaccinated. She said the country had tonnes of vaccines which were refrigerated and needed to be used. “It is important that we protect ourselves. The vaccines are available for those aged 12 years and above,” said the minister.

Nkosi said the vaccines were safe and effective as it was the only known way to protect against COVID-19. She added that the programme for the booster shot roll-out began on Monday and that there were more than enough vaccines for everyone. Nkosi invited members of the public to take the booster jabs. “Schedules have been released for communities and schools for different candidates to receive.”

According to Nkosi, they would be sharing the schedule with the various media houses as they were likely to change from week to week. Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Sipho Dlamini, who also received his booster jab, said they had led by example with the Cabinet team and encouraged the nation to vaccinate and also boost. Dlamini said there were myths around the vaccine and such should be avoided because the vaccination provided protection.

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