CHAKWERA DEFENDS MW’S DEFIANCE TO WHO’S ADVICE ON EXPIRED VACCINE

By Kenson McCloud

President Lazarus Chakwera has defended the decision to go against advice from the World Health Organisation not to destroy Covid-19 vaccines that have expired.  

In April, government destroyed 16 Thousand doses of AstraZeneca vaccines that had expired.

Chakwera told CNN on Thursday that he did not want people to think that Malawi is damping site.

"We dont want people thinking that we are setlling for anthing that comes our way even if it is expired" said Chakwera.

According to the president government is duty bound to stand with the people in order to move together hence it was necessary to be cautious with the advice from WHO.

"What we are saying is, we need to sensitize our people and it is our duty to be able to stand with our people so that we can move move together." said Chakwera.

He added that the best approach is to continue lobbying people to ensure that everyone gets a vaccine.

Meanwhile a health rights activist has commended government’s stance on destroying the expired vaccines.

In an interview with Timveni, Maziko Matemba said, "Against a background of vaccine scepticism, authorities made right choice to ignore WHO advice to instil public confidence in the fight against the pandemic."

However, Matemba said there is need for better approach in order to ensure that more people get the jab.

Malawi has administered at least 296,127 doses of COVID Vaccines so far.