By Roseline Sanga – Art in Tanzania internship
In Tanzania, disputes persist between government officials; some claim that the vaccines are not safe for humans, while others request proof to support this assertion. Many citizens have differing opinions about the vaccines; some fear for their safety after receiving the vaccines and thus refuse to be vaccinated, while another group believes the vaccine is a means to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Still, another group of people do not know whether to be vaccinated, so they wait for those who have already been vaccinated to see the results before making decisions. The vaccines are now available in the country in various hospitals, including government hospitals and private hospitals, and some people are more likely to get the COVID-19 vaccines, especially those who are at risk of this disease, such as a group of the elderly as well as people with Chronicle diseases. as well as health care providers. Some people, including Ms. Khadija, have requested that the government examine the vaccine’s effectiveness first. She does not understand why it has caused opposition for some people to reject it, and even some of them are government officials.
Also, Mr Masoud said he is afraid of using these vaccines but will have to use them to protect himself. He doesn’t want to get those vaccines, but due to his health problems, he should be vaccinated to prevent contracting COVID-19. Many citizens want to get vaccinated, but fear has overwhelmed them, and they are unsure what is best for them. The government should provide genuine education on the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens, especially those who are hesitant to use it. Now that the vaccine has become more of a threat than the virus itself, some parents are even forbidding their children from attending school due to fear of contracting the vaccine.
