Tanzania’s government said it is gearing up to roll out vaccinations against Covid-19 soon, in a shift from the policies of the country’s former Covid-sceptic leader. Health Minister Dorothy Gwajima said late Thursday the government was also banning all “unnecessary gatherings” to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Tanzania’s late leader John Magufuli had downplayed the gravity of the pandemic and shunned masks for the healing power of prayer, even as neighbouring countries shut their borders and imposed curfews and lockdowns.
The government stopped releasing Covid-19 data in April 2020, with Magufuli saying that issuing the figures was scaring people and describing vaccines as “dangerous”.
But since Magufuli’s death in March, his successor Samia Suluhu Hassan has taken a different approach, creating an expert taskforce to advise her government about how to best proceed with managing the pandemic.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said on Thursday that Tanzania, Eritrea and Burundi were the only countries on the continent yet to begin vaccinating their citizens against Covid-19.
But the country of 58 million had recently submitted its application to join the global Covax vaccine-sharing initiative, and another programme to acquire jabs under the African Union.
“It is now fair to say we have seen a significant shift in Tanzania’s position,” said John Nkengasong, director of Africa CDC.
Gwajima said Tanzania had 682 Covid patients as of July 21. When the government stopped releasing the figures, it had reported 509 cases and 16 deaths.
It was not immediately clear which vaccine Tanzania would be using.
The government says Magufuli, nicknamed the “Bulldozer” for his uncompromising leadership style, died of a heart condition after a mysterious three-week absence. But his political opponents insist he had coronavirus.
In other news – Coming up on Legacy this August 2021
Coming up on Legacy this August 2021: Felicity prepares to take desperate measures to free herself from James. Charmaine finds herself in a compromised position when her past comes back to haunt her.
James uncovers a dark secret that will change everything. Petra makes her choice. But is it the right one. Learn more
Source: IOL
