Rwanda early this month achieved the 30 per cent full Covid-19 vaccination target for this year, with some 90 per cent of the residents in the City of Kigali having been vaccinated. With the target of fully inoculating at least 70 per cent of its population by the end of next year, Rwanda is among African countries that have so far vaccinated a high percentage of their populations against the deadly virus. More recently, the government has started administering Covid jabs to children aged at least 12, on the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). And, in the wake of the emergence of the highly-mutant Omicron variant, the country has also started offering booster doses to frontline workers and anyone aged 30 and above living with underlying conditions or Non-Communicable Diseases. Also, the government this week yet again stepped up vaccination efforts, once more taking the campaign to places with high concentration of people, including taxi parks, while inoculations also continue to be administered at health centres and other designated sites. All the while, health authorities are underlining the fact that, while vaccines boosts immunity and subsequently prevents severe disease, it does not prevent one from contracting it and therefore everyone should continue to observe all Covid standard operating procedures. In addition, while early evidence shows that the Omicron variant may not be leading to more hospitalisations or severe illness, WHO has designated it a Variant of Concern and urged nations to prevent its spread. As a result, Rwanda has tightened measures to prevent its spread to the country, including reintroducing tighter controls at points of entry. Yet, from experience, we have learnt that it’s virtually impossible to completely keep these variants at bay, although vigilance can delay their spread and, vitally, buy more time for better preparation in terms of response. It is also hoped that slowing down the spread of Omicron would allow for vaccine manufactures to adapt the vaccines to the new variant. Tied to this is the threat of economic impacts in case of the outbreak of the new variant, both from travel restrictions and other preventive measures – a situation that could hamstring ongoing recovery efforts. This, therefore, calls for concerted efforts from everyone to prevent possible erosion of the progress we have made in recent months toward recovering from the devastating impacts of the virus. And, this can only be done through taking the vaccine (and boosters, when your chance comes) as well as observing all Covid guidelines, including hand hygiene, keeping your distance and properly masking up. Yes, even during the fast-approaching festive season.
