Blantyre District Health Office on Saturday has administered the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to inmates at Chichiri prison.

209 male inmates and 12 female inmates have received the vaccine.

Speaking to YFM, General Duties Officer at Chichiri prison, Biston Chikhumbila, expressed gratitude with the exercise as the facility is too congested a development which put the lives of the inmates at risk of contracting the virus easily.

Chikhumbira said: “This is a welcome development because the number of prisoners here is very high such that if the pandemic breaks then it can be spread easily since it’s not possible for the inmates to observe social distance.”

He further commended Blantyre DHO for the initiative.

One of the inmates who received the vaccine, Davilin Nyalapa, praised the Blantyre District Health Office for giving them an opportunity to receive the vaccine.

Another vaccination exercise on the same day was conducted at Chichiri Shoprite where Secretary for Health, Dr. Charles Mwansambo paid a surprise visit to appreciate the campaign.

Malawi Prisons Service Spokesperson, Chimwemwe Shaba told YFM in a separate interview that the exercise has also taken place at Chitipa, Mzuzu, Nsanje and Mphyupyu prisons.