Jean Marie Vianney Gatabazi, the Minister for Local Government has called-out people who are fleeing the country to dodge Covid-19 vaccination, reminding them that the countries to which they are going also have to vaccinate their residents sooner or later. This follows reports that some Rwandans were crossing over to neighbouring countries - particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi - in an effort to run away from the Covid-19 vaccination campaigns in Rwanda. Speaking in an interview with the national broadcaster on Thursday, January, 14, Gatabazi said the vaccine acceptance rate is high in Rwanda, and large numbers of people are willingly taking the jab, save for a few skeptics. “There are a few who tried to flee the country, but they have been sent back. You can’t say I am going to Tanzania, I am going to Burundi, or I am going to the DRC. These counties are also vaccinating, so there is no need to fear vaccines,” he said. “Our responsibility is to mobilise people, take time with them, use all the platforms that can help us convince them of the benefits of vaccines,” he added. He appreciated the role of religious leaders who continue to partner with the government to sensitize their congregations towards accepting vaccines, saying it has played a significant role in galvanizing a huge number of people. Dr. Daniel Ngamije, the Minister of Health said addressing vaccine hesitancy is a matter of constant education and sensitization of citizens, which involves showcasing to them what has been achieved since the vaccination drive began. Here, he noted that severe illnesses and hospitalizations due to Covid-19 in the country have drastically reduced, in comparison to when the vaccination rates were low. “This should inform people that there are advantages in being vaccinated,” he said. “When you are vaccinated, you are protected. You have neutralizing antibodies in your blood. If you get in contact with the virus, those neutralizing antibodies will work against it, then you will not suffer with severe symptoms,” he added. “It is science, nothing is complicated. It is not the first time that we are getting people vaccinated. All of us have been vaccinated since we were young. In our calendar for vaccination, we are giving 12 types of vaccines, and some of them administered in 4 doses.”
