By JULIET MAKWAMA
THE new Covid-19 variant originating from within southern Africa is a wakeup call for people to vaccinate, says Ministry of Health Director for Infectious Diseases Professor Lloyd Mulenga. says.
The new Covid-19 variant called B.1.1. 529 which was first reported in Botswana from four fully vaccinated people has now spread to South Africa and the region has been put on travel alert by the UK and Europe.
Prof Mulenga says the fact that neighbouring countries are affected is a source of serious concern, and that vaccination is one way through which protection from infection can be enhanced.
Prof Mulenga is however confident that the new variant will not be as lethal as the third wave despite being easily transmittable.
He says adhering to health guidelines also remains cardinal to protecting people from infection.
And Prof Mulenga says Zambia is considering booster vaccines and it is still being agreed on whether these should be given only to those at risk of getting severe disease such as the elderly, and people living with AIDS among others.
He has emphasised that this is not policy yet as it is only under consideration that those more at risk receive the booster vaccines once they are available.
