Military officers strengthen vaccination drive by taking Covid-19 shots

By Deng Elamu

Senior and low ranking military officers have recently received Covid-19 shots that they are hoping will dispel fears and rumors on the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccines being rolled out in the country.

Lt. Gen James Koang Chol, Deputy Chief of Defense Forces for Training in South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) is among the list of several officers who have taken Covid-19 shots at the Juba Military Hospital.

He told the Juba Echo after receiving his Covid-19 jab on Wednesday that Coronavirus is real, urging the population to embrace the vaccines.

“Covid-19 is real in the country and the people of South Sudan have to take it this way, as we have been advised by our doctors and our leaders,” said Koang.

He said that there is no need to fear and doubt the efficacy of the vaccines, since President Salva Kiir received his Covid shot on Tuesday.

“Even the president of the country has been vaccinated to encourage people, this is good news for us the people of South Sudan in order to take the vaccine. We are also advising people to take it,” he added.

Koang expressed optimism that following positive recommendations of South Sudanese medical experts on the vaccine, he believes it will not put at risk lives of people who turn up to receive it.

“I hope it (vaccine) will protect us we have been told by our doctors. For me I do not know anything about medicine but I believe in South Sudanese doctors,” he disclosed.

“We have lost our people, we lost our dear brothers and comrades so there is need to get vaccinated to protect ourselves,” added Koang.

The Ministry of Health commenced its vaccination campaign with the AstraZeneca vaccines on April 6, targeting to reach out to more than 4,000 people about 20 percent of the population of 12 million.

The vaccines arrived in the country on March 25^th, consisting of 132,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility.

South Sudan is expected to receive a total of 732,000 doses of vaccines within the first six months of 2021. So far the vaccination

The Ministry of Health since Tuesday said it registered 16 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the number of cumulative cases to 10,403 and 114 fatalities.

Photo shows a soldier receiving Covid shot at Juba military hospital on Wednesday.

Lt.Col Dr.Joseph Mawien, Supervisor of Covid-19 vaccination in Juba military hospital revealed that they have so far vaccinated 405 people, including medical officers and elderly people.

“Vaccination will continue up to Saturday, we expected many to be vaccinated as you can see the place is crowded. We are expecting more numbers as people are aware of the vaccine maybe today we will reach 500 people,” said Mawien.

The Health Ministry said it had vaccinated a total of 943 people by Tuesday, adding it plans to extend the vaccination to the states but that they are currently faced by logistics challenges and limited budget.

However, he conceded that some of the people who turned up for the vaccination expressed varying personal reservations on the vaccines.

“Of course in any work there are challenges, some people come and say this vaccine when taken one will not give birth, these are rumors. We have given them counseling on how safe the vaccine is,” said Mawien.

Another recipient of the vaccine, Akwoc Mayong who is the commander of SSPDF Field Artillery Division said the country needs the vaccines to save millions of lives at risk of catching Covid-19.

“The medical experts invented the vaccine, there is no need to fear taking the vaccine. The vaccine is made to trigger immunity it is made in a way that it cannot cause harm,” said Mayong.

He also urged the public to continue adhering to the Covid-19 health preventive measures set up by government like hand washing, wearing of facemasks and social distancing.

Meanwhile, Capt. Aleer Chiengkuach Jok said after receiving his Covid jab that he had taken the most important decision in his life in order to protect himself, family and friends.

“We have good reason to get vaccinated I came here to protect myself, it is very important to protect yourselves and others,” he said.

Chiengkuach admitted that before the arrival of the vaccines so many people had succumbed to COVID-19, in addition to the partial lockdown imposed by government affecting economic and social aspects of life.

“Now with the vaccine in the country we hope that it will bring positive changes. We will see in the near future whether it is going to help protect us or whether it is going to develop resistance against Covid-19,” he disclosed.