Tanzania will not accept COVID-19 vaccines, but instead plans to use natural remedies for the virus, according to the country’s health minister, Dorothy Gwajima.
Gwajima spoke at a news conference in February, agreeing with President John Magufuli’s opposition to the COVID-19 vaccines.
The Lancet reported that government officials in Tanzania “dismissed COVID-19 vaccines and promoted unfounded remedies,” with the Health Minister saying that the country “has no plans in place to accept COVID-19 vaccines”.
Gwajima expressed her disapproval of the vaccines, stating that there is no sufficient clinical proof of vaccines being safe.
Although many other countries in the world are using various COVID-19 vaccines to inoculate their populations, vaccines are still undergoing experimental trials and have only been released for emergency use.
The Health Minister promoted the use of natural remedies for the virus and even drank an herbal tea with ginger, garlic and lemon contents which she followed by inhaling steam from herbs. She urged the public that the use of natural herbs can kill the virus.
President Magufuli expressed wariness for the vaccine. According to the Associated Press, he also asked Tanzanians to participate in three days of prayer for unspecified “respiratory” illnesses in the country.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) urged Tanzania to increase public health measures and prepare the population for vaccination, adding that the country must share its data on COVID-19 cases.
“This situation remains very concerning,” stated the Director-General, adding that authorities must do all they can to protect people from the disease.
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