Mapangano Jeremiah, a truck driver from Nkope in Mangochi, crisscrosses the borders of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa as part of his work. Recently, he received his third Covid-19 vaccine during the recent nationwide vaccination campaign supported by the WHO in February 2024. Having experienced the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic firsthand, Mapangano reflects on the loss of many friends and the profound impact it had on his life.

"It's hard to believe how quickly people succumbed to the virus," Mapangano says. "It felt like they went on a vacation from which they'd never return. They are the true faces of Covid and its devastation. As someone who travels between countries, I've seen the severity of the situation. Even countries with better health systems like South Africa struggled to contain it. I never want to go through that again, which is why I take the Covid vaccine seriously."

Mapangano emphasizes the importance of making Covid-19 vaccines accessible to all. "During those dark times, people resorted to all sorts of remedies out of panic. But now, we have vaccines readily available that offer protection against the disease. If everyone gets vaccinated, we can stop the spread and eventually eliminate the disease altogether."

He commends the WHO and government for implementing integrated routine vaccination, which ensures vaccine availability on demand, especially for women visiting under-five or antenatal clinics. This approach not only provides vaccines but also serves as a platform for dispelling myths and misconceptions about vaccination within communities.

Despite his commitment to vaccination, Mapangano's wife remains hesitant to get vaccinated. He respects her decision but encourages women, especially mothers, to prioritize vaccination for the sake of their children. Recognizing the importance of good health, Mapangano advocates for vaccination among his peers and community members, aiming to dispel misconceptions and promote the importance of vaccination.

Martin Mkandawire, a Health Surveillance Officer in Nkope, highlights the positive shift in attitudes towards vaccination since its introduction in the community. Initially met with skepticism and fear, vaccination became widely accepted as people witnessed its effectiveness in preventing severe illness and death.

As a result of extensive vaccination campaigns such as door to door vaccinations, vaccinate my village and integration of Covid-19 vaccination into routine programs, the burden of unvaccinated populations has significantly decreased by 56% from 10,469,349 to 4,571,360 across ten implementing districts. Vaccine uptake among high-risk groups, including persons with comorbidities, refugees, and the elderly, has seen notable increases, from 27% in 2022 to 48% as at December 2023, bolstering immunity and protecting the most vulnerable against severe Covid-19 disease.