Contributing to the Herd

Contributing to the Herd

Covid 19 has been around now for more than 1 year. During this time life as we know it, has not been the same for all of us. People have been dying on an alarming rate globally due to the pandemic. However, in the last quarter of 2020 a silver lining in the dark cloud appeared; the Covid-19 vaccine. After much deep thought and consideration I recently went to get my first Covid-19 jab. A personal choice that I made, not only to protect myself but my loved ones as well.

Prior to receiving the jab, I had my own reservations, these were mostly due to misinformation and disinformation about the covid19 vaccine which was hugely spread via social media. In all honesty I believe I received courage to get the vaccine from a very close and influential person in my life who got fully vaccinated herself over a month prior to my own vaccination. I noted how she went on with life as usual with no visible side effects whatsoever despite her slightly advanced age.

On the day I went to receive my first dose of the vaccine I felt a bit intimidated by the large number of healthcare officials in hazmat suits as well as the long winding queues of people who were in line to receive the jab. As a person with a physical disability I wondered how I would manage to stand in line in such a long queue. After much self-deliberation I summed up some courage and walked to the front of the queue. I was immediately attended to with no questions asked and within the next 5 minutes I had received my first jab and was making my way home. It was indeed an experience to remember.

After my experience I then took time out to reflect on how to make the vaccination experience more inclusive of people with diverse needs. Some suggestions to the responsible authorities are as follows:

• Provide Information, Education and Communication materials about Covid19 vaccination in accessible formats such as braille and large print to enable those with visual impairments to access the information.
• Provide a sign-language interpreter at each and every vaccination site.
• Ensure that all vaccination sites meet minimum universal accessibility requirements.
• Educate all staff members on proper etiquette on working with clientele with diverse needs.
• Include people with disabilities in the decision making bodies and Covid19 Taskforces.
• Engage organizations for persons with disabilities in terms of mobilizing and encouraging their membership to get vaccinated.
• Provide resources to organizations of persons with disabilities to enable them to effectively educate and mobilize their membership in the covid19 vaccination drive.

From the day I received my first jab I feel a sense of renewed pride in that I have contributed towards the Herd Immunity. Once we achieve Herd Immunity as a country Covid19 will soon be eradicated. I therefore urge all Zimbabweans (especially people with disabilities) to strongly consider receiving the Covid19 vaccine not only for personal health but for the good of the country and the global community at large. I believe that together we can eradicate Covid19.

Tapiwa Tsikai is Technical Director of Thisability Hub who writes in his own personal capacity. The opinions expressed within this article do not necessarily relate to the opinions of Thisability Hub. To find out more about us please email us on: info@thisabilityhub.org.zw