ZAMBIA: Bishop of Solwezi Receives Covid-19 Vaccine

Mwenya Mukuka

Bishop Charles Kasonde of Catholic Diocese of Solwezi has taken AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 and has since encouraged priests, the Religious and Christians in his Diocese to do the same.

Speaking when he led several priests and Religious Sisters to get the Covid-19 vaccine at Solwezi General Hospital Tuesday 27^th April 2021, Bishop Kasonde said taking the jab is the best way possible to protect one another as clergy, Religious men and women from the deadly disease, adding that there is no reason to reject the AstraZeneca vaccine which government recently approved and procured.

“We have all been shaken since December 2019 and declared that we are in a new environment, so the new normal attracts a number of things. We have seen how the first wave killed a number of our brothers and sisters and how some who recovered have not yet fully recovered. Then, the second wave came and did the same. We do not even know where we are going, whether this is the last wave or there is a third wave or there is a fourth wave coming. Now, if there is a vaccine that is considered to be a preventive measure why not taking it,’’ asked Bishop Kasonde.

Bishop Kasonde added that people who have rejected the vaccine should not be forced because they have their own reasons but that Christians should continue to encourage one another to take the vaccination for the promotion of human life.

“In the Catholic Diocese of Solwezi, I encourage you as your Shepherd to take go and be vaccinated. Those who feel they can take it, let them not feel discouraged Actually, it is recommended that those who can receive it and have access must go receive it,” said Bishop Kasonde.

Meanwhile Bishop Kasonde has commended the Zambia Government for having taken a proactive move to ensure that the vaccine is brought in the country.

“We should commend our government for having taken this proactive move that the vaccine is brought in our country at the right moment when there are predictions that as we go into the cold season things maybe even worse,’’ said Bishop Kasonde.

In the first rollout of the vaccination program, Zambia is expected to vaccinate a total of 8.3 million people above the age of 18.

The country recently received a COVAX facility consisting of 228,000 doses of AstraZeneca manufactured in India which arrived courtesy of the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund as well as other cooperating partners for supporting the acquisition of the vaccine.