Fight Against COVID-19 – Administrative Authorities of Bangem Urge Populations to Massive Go in For Vaccines

The populations of Kupe Manenguba in the South West region of Cameroon have shunned the COVID-19 vaccines after some twenty individuals receive their first dose three months after the launching of the campaign by the government.

Inhabitants of Kupemanengumba Division have continued to undermine the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, despite the efforts put in place by the government to curb its spread. They go about their daily activities normally, mingle with people, not minding about the general safety . This has become the easiest means through which the virus is spread.

These people are still indifferent to the vaccination campaign launched by government officials in this Division since one month today.

Their reluctance is highly influence by speculations and rumours circulating around the vaccine on social media. These rumours have it that the vaccine has short term and long term effects on individuals, per the explanations of these set is people.  “I haven’t taken the vaccine yet because I am skeptical about its outcome. We heard at a certain point that it was accompanied with illnesses, and I do not know what will happen next. I prefer not to take it at all,” an inhabitant of this locality told this reporter.

More than three months after the launch of the campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic in this locality, just about 20 persons have accepted to be administered the vaccine.

To call the people to consciousness and reboost their moral vis-à-vis the vaccine, administrative authorities in Bangem launched a campaign to sensitize the populations on the need to take the vaccine.

“We are putting in place maximum efforts to vaccinate the population, despite the fact that the number is still very limited. But we think that with this sensitization process, more persons will be vaccinated,” explained Dr. Emmanuel Nkengafac, Chief of the Bangem District Hospital “We realised that the general vaccination till this point was still very low, reason why the chief of the Bangem District Hospital organised a working session to sensitize the population of the town of Bangem on the need to go in for the vaccine, which is the only means through which the area can be freed from the virus,” the Division Officer of Kupe manengumba, Jean Marie Tchakui further explained.

It should be noted that the situation is even worse in the hinterlands, where there is limited information about the vaccine.

As of date, Kupe manenguba has recorder forty five Positive cases, among which 32 cases are from Bangem. A total number 2550 people have been diagnosed so far.

Administrative authorities continue to encourage the populations to respect barrier measures, as they make up their minds to receive the vaccine.

Government’s goal is to vaccinate 20% (five million People) of the population before the African Cup of Nations, AFCON scheduled for January and February 2022. However, just 7% have been vaccinated as of now.

Ingrid KENGNE