NATIONAL, BUSIA COUNTY GOVERNMENTS LAUNCH COVID-19 RRI
The National Government in conjunction with the County Government of Busia have launched the Covid-19 Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) that targets to vaccinate 193,142 people in seven Sub Counties.
The event was presided over by the new County Commissioner Dr Ahmed Omar and the Director Preventive and Promotive Services Dr Melsah Lutomia who represented the Busia Department of Health and Sanitation at the Public Works premises.
Dr Lutomia said the exercise which is being supported by the Ministry of Health through UNOPS aims at ensuring that locals are vaccinated against COVID-19 across the County.
“For vaccination to work well we have the concept known as herd immunity, where at least 80 per cent of our population should be vaccinated to reduce the possibility of the disease spreading,” Dr Lutomia said.
She disclosed that the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines is still low, adding that Busia County is around 12 per cent for those who have received the 1st, 2nd and the single dose of Johnson and Johnson.
“We still have a long way to go in terms of reaching 80 per cent to win the battle against the disease. Let us also observe the Covid-19 protocols,” emphasized the Director.
“Our mothers ensure that we get childhood vaccination to save lives. Most of the diseases are respiratory among them tuberculosis, diphtheria and influenza,” she added.
Dr Lutomia further said that the health department has rolled out the Malaria vaccine, in addition to pneumonia that was introduced some three years ago.
Dr Omar said the RRI Directive which is from H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta will be implemented fully to strengthen the fight against COVID-19.
“There are so many myths circulating on our social media platforms that have scared some of our people. Let us not be discouraged by the information which is untrue by coming out in numbers to get the jab,”
The Commissioner said Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs should also ensure people in their respective areas are vaccinated, adding that they should embrace door to door approach.
Others present included the County Expanded Programme on Immunization Coordinator Juliet Kilima, County Health Promotion Officer Nelson Andanje and the County Nursing Coordinator Tito Kwena.
18,575 people are being targeted in Bunyala, 30,319 (Butula), 30,767 (Matayos), 24,118 (Nambale), 23,153 (Samia), 29,889 (Teso North) and 36,321 in Teso South.
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