Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) has expressed satisfaction with the progress of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine administration exercise which began on March 15 in the district.

Director of Health and Social Services in the district, Dr. Gift Kawalazira, said since the exercise was rolled out in the district the number of people getting the vaccine keeps on rising on daily bases.

He said as of Thursday, the number had reached more than 12,000.

Dr. Kawalazira said: “It’s encouraging to see the demand and uptake of vaccine, which the district started to administer increasing as time goes.”

He further said from Monday next week the number of vaccination centers will be doubled from the current 10 to 20.

On the fears of side effects, Dr. Kawalazira said less that 10 people have so far registered some mild side effects including pain on the injection side, general body weaknesses, slight headache and general muscular pains.

However he emphasized that there has been no any serious side effect registered.

On the challenges being faced by the exercise, Dr. Kawalazira pointed out reluctant by stakeholders to support in sensitization campaigns which he said is greatly needed.

According to Blantyre DHO, cumulative COVID-19 vaccine disaggregated by risk factor as of March 24, shows that high number of social workers are taking the vaccine with overall of 4,237 seconded by health workers with 3,355.