Kampala: The United States government, through the USAID – US Agency for International Development, supported a mass COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the Busoga, Bugisu, and Bukedi regions of Uganda last week. Through the campaign, more than 1.6 million people were vaccinated.
Stella Nandutu Yabitha, a health worker at Bubulo HC IV in Manafwa District, who received COVID-19 vaccine handling and administration training from USAID through the RHITES-E programme, said: “I took my vaccine. I feel safe and confident in delivering quality services to clients who need them. Vaccines are safe. Please take your jab to protect yourself from COVID-19.”
Gladys Kahalwa received the vaccine in Busoga region. “My husband and I wanted to get vaccinated, but the health centre is too far,” Kahalwa said. “We were excited to find a vaccination point just a short distance from our home. At our age, if you’re not vaccinated, and you get COVID-19, you die!”
Frank Tibagendeka, LCV Chairperson of Mayuge District, said, “I have received my booster jab… for my own good but also to encourage others to get vaccinated.”
The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, congratulated Sarah, an 18-year-old student, who said she was afraid to get vaccinated because she thought it would hurt. “…now I am excited… I am going to tell my friends that it does not hurt.”
US Embassy Kampala requests people to get out and get their jab! Spread the word that #COVID19 vaccines are safe and they prevent serious illness/death. With the arrival of 999,180 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses on February 11, the United States has now provided more than 12 million #COVID-19 vaccine doses to Uganda.
Last year, on February 13 US donated 12 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Uganda, and USAID supported a mass vaccination campaign in Busoga, Bugisu & Bukedi, during which more than 1.6 million people were vaccinated.