Covid: Vaccination roll-out plan laid bare
Namibian residents living with HIV, hypertension and diabetes are also being targeted as part of government’s vaccination drive.
JEMIMA BEUKES AND OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
Government is targeting to vaccinate over 19 000 sex workers and homeless persons across Namibia as part of its vaccination drive.
This information is contained in the state’s ambitious vaccine roll-out plan, which sets an ambitious target of inoculating up to 290 000 people from seven targeted groups.
These groups include 53 000 healthcare workers, 95 000 pensioners, 83 000 people living with HIV, 45 000 persons living with hypertension, 36 000 persons living with diabetes, 30 000 non-essential frontline workers, 30 000 people living in informal settlements, 15 500 teachers, 16 000 correctional and police officers and 8 000 prisoners, among others.
“The initial focus of the vaccination programme will be to reduce morbidity and mortality and achieve a herd immunity in order to maintain critical healthcare services,” the health ministry said in a document obtained by Namibian Sun.
As of 27 May, a total of 65 037 persons had received their first doses of the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccinations.
Over 7 400 people are now fully vaccinated as part of the biggest inoculation programme the country has ever launched.
According to official documents, government’s plan to procure enough vaccines for a nationwide vaccination campaign - targeting 60% of the population - is expected to result in an overall fiscal cost of about N$1.6 billion.
Joint effort
Civil society last week urged government to work hand in hand with organisations if it wants to meet the set targets in the vaccination plan.
Regional coordinator for Out-Right Namibia, Deyonce Naris, said it was imperative for government to work closely with the Sex Workers Alliance of Namibia for its targeted roll-out to be successful.
“The sex worker population is vast across Namibia. If government rolls out such a programme, it should form part of the sex workers’ organisations or have them lead it in terms of campaigning,” she said.
“It could go a long way,” Naris added.
According to her, campaigns driven by civic organisation groups have been successful.
Meanwhile, Carl Pesat, who spearheaded shelter programmes for homeless persons during the height of the state of emergency last year, said it was imperative to get social workers involved to encourage homeless people to get their jabs.
“It should come from social workers and non-governmental organisations. The incentive could be there for homeless persons to get their vaccinations,” he said.
WINDHOEK
Government is targeting to vaccinate over 19 000 sex workers and homeless persons across Namibia as part of its vaccination drive.
This information is contained in the state’s ambitious vaccine roll-out plan, which sets an ambitious target of inoculating up to 290 000 people from seven targeted groups.
These groups include 53 000 healthcare workers, 95 000 pensioners, 83 000 people living with HIV, 45 000 persons living with hypertension, 36 000 persons living with diabetes, 30 000 non-essential frontline workers, 30 000 people living in informal settlements, 15 500 teachers, 16 000 correctional and police officers and 8 000 prisoners, among others.
“The initial focus of the vaccination programme will be to reduce morbidity and mortality and achieve a herd immunity in order to maintain critical healthcare services,” the health ministry said in a document obtained by Namibian Sun.
As of 27 May, a total of 65 037 persons had received their first doses of the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccinations.
Over 7 400 people are now fully vaccinated as part of the biggest inoculation programme the country has ever launched.
According to official documents, government’s plan to procure enough vaccines for a nationwide vaccination campaign - targeting 60% of the population - is expected to result in an overall fiscal cost of about N$1.6 billion.
Joint effort
Civil society last week urged government to work hand in hand with organisations if it wants to meet the set targets in the vaccination plan.
Regional coordinator for Out-Right Namibia, Deyonce Naris, said it was imperative for government to work closely with the Sex Workers Alliance of Namibia for its targeted roll-out to be successful.
“The sex worker population is vast across Namibia. If government rolls out such a programme, it should form part of the sex workers’ organisations or have them lead it in terms of campaigning,” she said.
“It could go a long way,” Naris added.
According to her, campaigns driven by civic organisation groups have been successful.
Meanwhile, Carl Pesat, who spearheaded shelter programmes for homeless persons during the height of the state of emergency last year, said it was imperative to get social workers involved to encourage homeless people to get their jabs.
“It should come from social workers and non-governmental organisations. The incentive could be there for homeless persons to get their vaccinations,” he said.
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