Talking Points for Religious Leaders on COVID-19 Vaccination Exercise in Uganda in context of the pandemic

IRCU COUNCIL OF PRESIDENTS MESSAGE ON VACCINATION FOLLOWING SAFE RE-OPENING OF PLACES OF WORSHIP.

“Worship And Vaccinate To Contain The Spread Of COVID-19 In Our Communities” 

Intended Audience	Congregation, Faith Institutions and all Ugandans
Objective	To create public awareness on COVID-19 vaccination exercise in Uganda in the context of COVID-19 pandemic.

 BACKGROUND

• In 2020, Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) ravaged the world. Uganda, like every country in the world, and all sectors were and are still being
• COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, SARS-CoV-

2. The World Health Organisation (WHO) first learned of this new virus from cases in Wuhan city in China on 31st December 2019.

• The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles (droplets) when they cough, sneeze, talk, sing or breathe The main way the virus spreads is when people are in direct or close contact (less than 2 metres) with an infected person.
• Persons with COVID-19 have the following symptoms: Fever, constantly High Temperature beyond 37 degrees Celsius, Cough, Chest pain, Difficulty in Breathing, General body weakness, Loss of Appetite, Taste and Smell and or Red
• The whole world of Uganda inclusive has resorted to Vaccination as a reliable means of offering protection against COVID-19.
• Although everyone is at risk of contracting and dying from COVID-19, people who are 50 years and above and those with underlying medical problems like diabetes, hypertension, heart, kidney, liver disease are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19.
• Uganda is just coming out of a second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak which was DEADLIER and worse than the first wave. It did overstretch the health system because of the big number of patients who were in dire need of the few beds available in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) and the High Dependence Units (HDU) around the different hospitals and above all This plunged the country into a 42 days lockdown in an effort to halt transmission.
• Currently, there are new and deadly variants of concern from India, South Africa, Nigeria and the United The GOOD news is that the current vaccines are effective in managing most of these new COVID-19 variants. The Government of Uganda is providing these vaccines FREE of charge to all people who are eligible for vaccination

The ONLY prevention option is by observing the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) to the dot.

• Wear your face mask properly covering your nose and mouth at all times while in
• Maintain a distance of at least 2 meters (6 feet) between yourself and another person.
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and running water or use an alcohol-based hand
• Avoid public gatherings and
• Avoid handshaking and hugging
• Get vaccinated when your turn comes

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM

• With the big numbers of confirmed cases and deaths worldwide, it became increasingly important for scientists to find a solution to control and end the COVID- 19
• As a result, multiple COVID-19 vaccines have been Since last year, the World Health Organization has been working in collaboration with scientists, businesses, and global health organizations to speed up the development and approval of COVID-19 vaccines.
• So, the main purpose of all the COVID-19 vaccines is to prevent severe disease, hospitalization and death. When we get many people vaccinated to form ‘herd immunity, then we will be able to contain this

THE COVID-19 VACCINE AND HOW IT WORKS

A COVID-19 vaccine is a vaccine intended to provide acquired immunity against severe disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines are all designed to teach the body’s immune system to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19.

PERSONS TO BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19?

Every person above 18 years old will be vaccinated against COVID-19. However, due to the limited number of COVID-19 vaccines being produced worldwide, all countries including Uganda are receiving in small batches of the vaccine.

With these few quantities of the COVID-19 vaccines trickling in, vaccination in Uganda under Phase I will continue with the following priority groups of people that are at most risk of getting COVID-19:

• Health Care workers in public and private facilities
• Teachers
• Security personnel
• People above 50 years
• People aged 18 to 50 years with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart, kidney and liver

 

IF SOMEONE GETS A COVID-19 VACCINE, SHOULD THEY STILL TAKE OTHER PRECAUTIONS SUCH AS PHYSICAL DISTANCING?

Yes. Even after being vaccinated, people should continue following all the recommended COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that include maintaining a physical distance of at least two meters, use of masks covering the nose and mouth properly and handwashing with soap and running water.

Adhering to these prevention measures or SOPs is necessary because there is still community COVID-19 transmission in the country. In addition, since the COVID-19 vaccines are still in short supply, not everyone will be vaccinated at the same time. This means that not everyone will be protected and since there is no evidence on how

WILL A COVID-19 VACCINE ALTER MY DNA?

No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. COVID-19 vaccines teach our body cells how to make  protein that triggers an immune response and helps us fight COVID-19.

WHERE WILL COVID-19 VACCINATION TAKE PLACE?

COVID-19 Vaccinations will take place in public health facilities including National and Regional Referral Hospitals, General Hospitals, Health Center IVs, Health Center IIIs and other selected locations as will be determined by each individual district.

In addition, selected places of worship like Rubaga Cathedral, St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral among others will be used as vaccination centers.

All eligible persons are advised to access their vaccines from these facilities on the designated days. All eligible persons must carry their National IDs with them when they go for vaccination while those without National IDs should carry their passport, driver’s license, work permit or refugee ID cards. In case of an unregistered citizen, a guarantor’s identity (preferably next of kin or LCI or VHT) whose mobile contact is available will be required before vaccination is done.

KEY MESSAGES

 All COVID-19 vaccines are FREE, SAFE & EFFECTIVE in preventing severe disease, hospitalization and death.

All COVID-19 vaccines currently under deployment CANNOT TRANSMIT THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES COVID-19.

COVID-19 is more dangerous to the elderly & people with underlying conditions. Protect these people in your family. Encourage and support them to get vaccinated.

As a concerned citizen, you are a role model in your society. Get vaccinated today and encourage others in the priority groups to get vaccinated.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been through extensive, rigorous testing and safety processes like other vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines are SAFE and EFFECTIVE and have been approved by the WHO and National Drug Authority.

The COVID-19 Vaccines to be deployed in Uganda have a two-dose regimen apart from J&J which is a single dose. All will be administered by intramuscular injection in the upper left arm.

To get maximum protection against COVID-19, each individual must be FULLY IMMUNISED by completing the schedule recommended by the different vaccine brands.

The COVID-19 vaccine helps prepare your body’s natural defences to

recognize and fight off the virus that causes COVID-19.

Protect yourself from COVID-19. Get a FREE COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.

Although we have been talking about the vaccine, remember that the best way to prevent COVID-19 infection is to avoid getting exposed to the virus. Therefore continue

• Wearing your face mask properly covering your nose and mouth while in
• Maintain a distance of at least 2 meters (6 feet) between yourself and another
• Regularly wash your hands with soap and running water or use an alcohol-based hand
• Avoid public
• Avoid handshaking and hugging