Covid-19 Guinea: vaccination sites no longer attract people

Officially launched on March 5, 2021 in Guinea, the vaccination campaign against covid-19 continues across the entire territory.  Despite the occurrence of the new Omicron variant in the country, vaccination sites are currently lacking in attendance.

 Contrary to the vision of the health authorities which is to vaccinate as many people as possible and cut the chain of contamination from the Omicron Variant, citizens no longer buckle up to get vaccinated. Located within the grounds of the People’s Palace, this vaccination site is almost empty. “We are here for the vaccination, this is my 22nd person since the morning.  Currently, there is not much enthusiasm, the Pfizer finished yesterday; currently we only have Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Astra Zeneca,” deplores Moussa Camara, Vaccinator.

“Everyone who happened in the morning came to take the first dose, and we are in the process of raising awareness among people to come and take their 3rd and 4th doses. We are doing it in neighborhoods everywhere to fight against these new Variants,” he adds.

At this vaccination site the population comes in droppers to take the vaccine.  For Kalilou Camara, vaccinated citizen, prevention is better than cure: “I came as part of the vaccination, to take my Johnson vaccine, my friends asked me to come and get the vaccination.  If we come to get vaccinated it is very important, it allows us to protect ourselves and our loved ones. So I advise everyone to come and get vaccinated.”

Since the advent of the coronavirus in Guinea on March 12, 2020, health authorities have been on hand to vaccinate the population. Several strategies have been employed to increase vaccination coverage. The most recent is the vaccination campaign for children aged 12 to 17.

Many parents agree to have their children vaccinated, they believe that this operation makes a great contribution to protecting their children from this virus which also attacks very young children. “All my children are vaccinated every 2 doses, despite the discouragement of some parents to refuse. I encourage those who are hesitant to vaccinate children. It’s for the good of their health,” M’balia Samaké, seller at the Kaporo market.

Mamadou Ciré Barry, butcher, sends a message to everyone:“If our State validates this vaccination of children, I see no reason to keep our children without vaccinating them. So, we have to save our children from this disease.”

Fanta Barry and Lancinet Sidibé