Lira district has run out of stock of the AstraZeneca Covid-19
vaccine.
Last week, Lira District received 1,300 doses which were shared
between Ogur and Amach Health Centre IV. Lira City got 1,700 doses which were
distributed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Lira University teaching hospital
and PAG General Hospital.
Since Monday people have been camping at the former Akiibua Stadium, one of the
vaccination points for Lira Hospital waiting to receive their jabs in vain due
to the big turn up. On Wednesday, hundreds of people who had turned up to receive
their second jab were turned away after being told that the vaccines were finished.
Edmond Aceka, the acting District Health Officer says that the vaccine
shortages follows a recent increase in uptake of the covid-19 vaccine among the
population in the area.
Aceka also says that the additional doses were inadequate. He
however says that they were expecting more doses.
//Cue in: “The three thousand…
Cue out: … with more vaccines.”//
Vincent Obua, a resident of Ngetta sub-county says that he had turned up for vaccination
but was left stranded following stock out of the vaccines. He also says that the
health workers carrying out the vaccination are slow.
//Cue in: “I came here…
Cue out: …should be there.”//
Betty Atim, a resident of Aloi sub-County in Alebtong district says that she traveled
to Lira Regional Referral Hospital with the hope of getting her first jab, but missed
out due to the high number of people.
Tom Onyuti, a resident of Akitenino village in Lira City who is yet to get his
first jab is worried that overcrowding at the designated vaccination points may
lead to an increase in infection of the virus.
He also says that the stock out of the vaccines could jeopardize the
fight against the virus.
//Cue in: “Overcrowding in one…
Cue out: …their health centres.”//
However, Dr Jimmy Sewanyana the in charge of vaccination at Lira
Regional Referral Hospital says that they have fully utilized their stock. He explains that priority was given to
people receiving the second doses, teachers and health workers, but some who
were receiving their first jab turned up in big numbers.
//Cue in: “I want to call…
Cue out: …will be vaccinated.”//
So far more than 2,800 people in Lira have already received their second dose
while more than 9,000 has received their first dose.
