Namibian frontline workers, locals, feel safer after COVID-19 inoculation.

WINDHOEK, April 26 — Frontline workers in Namibia, considered to be at high risk of contacting COVID-19, feel safer after inoculation with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Calistus Mukahanama, a medical doctor in Namibia’s capital Windhoek, was inoculated with the Sinopharm vaccine donated by the Chinese government.
“I am privileged to be one of the people to have access and was vaccinated. I could only take that opportunity. I feel safer knowing that my immune system got a boost. More so because I have not had any side effects nor symptoms of any kind,” he said.
For Mukahanama, multiple factors motivated him to get vaccinated. Among them, to boost the immune system.
“Moreover, this way, I will protect my colleagues, family and my patients,” he said Thursday.
Broadly, the virus has had devastating consequences in Namibia, with the country experiencing an increase in the number of hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19, according to the Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula.
He is not the only one. Rolf Hansen, head of the Cancer Association of Namibia, said that he was vaccinated in April at the Windhoek Central Hospital.
“I had to make the right decision based on research and data I gathered. I opted for the AstraZeneca vaccine donated by India. It is all about building herd immunity so that we can go on with our lives and hopefully aid revival of our economy,” he said.
Namibia, on April 16, also received the first batch of 24,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility, which has since been rolled out.
More locals have also since been inoculated. Marjorie van Wyk, a COVID-19 vaccine beneficiary, had to conquer the fear of injections to get the COVID-19 jab.
“Although I was afraid of the injection, I am grateful that I took the opportunity to be vaccinated. I wanted to lead by example and motivate my friends,” said van Wyk.
As most locals attest, the process was voluntary. According to van Wyk, she was screened to determine eligibility and consent.
“After all the procedures and observation, finally, the nurse gave me the COVID-19 vaccination card. It is my assurance to a boost and improved health,” she added.
Mukahanama, too, said that his experience and process of inoculation have been highly positive.
“The jab was not painful. The professionals took me through the process, and I felt supported by the whole atmosphere. The team also monitored me after injection,” he said.
Meanwhile, as the country rolls out the vaccination campaign to other regions, politicians have also taken the step to be vaccinated not only for their health but further inspire public confidence.
Aletta Fredericks, governor of the Karas region in the southern part of Namibia, was vaccinated in mid-April while the governor of the Oshana region early this week.
In the interim, Ishmael Katjitae, medical secretariat in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, said that the vaccines would be administered or taken in two doses, four weeks after the first inoculation.
So far, a total number of 9,460 people in Namibia have received the first dose of vaccines. While the cumulative number of people vaccinated with the second dose stands at 495.
According to the official, the more people in a given population are vaccinated, contribute to developing herd immunity.
“This means that, if we reach our target of vaccinating 60 percent of our population, so many people would have a defense mechanism and would not transmit the virus. As such, those with other sicknesses will tap on the immunity of those vaccinated,” Katjitae said.
Xinhua