President Lazarus Chakwera and his vice Saulos Chilima have called on Malawians to get vaccinated saying the Covid-19 vaccine has been approved by doctors and Malawi Poisons board who have concluded that it is safe.

Speaking in Zomba during the official launch of the vaccine covid-19 roll out, President Chakwera said despite that the country is registering a decrease in the Covid-19 cases, there is a need for Malawians to get vaccinated and following all the preventative measures put in place by the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19.

A similar event took place in Mzuzu, which was presided over by the country’s vice president Chilima.

In his remarks vice president Chilima said the AstraZeneca vaccine which the country has secured is safe adding that those cooking stories against the vaccine are “devil worshippers”

As there are rumors making rounds on social media regarding the vaccine, Chilima said he decide to lead by example together with president Chakwera by ensuring that they are the first to get vaccinated.

“At a time when globally there are rumors and disinformation about Covid-19 vaccination, it is indeed important that the President and I take lead in being the first ones to be vaccinated today,” Chilima said.

According to Chilima, the fact that the president and him are the first t get the Covid-19 jab, it will go as an inspiration to other people across the country to get vaccinated as well when it is rolled out in large scales  very soon.

“It is the expectation of His Excellency the President that the example we have shown today by being the first to take the vaccine, will inspire many Malawians to do the same especially when it is rolled out at a larger scale very soon. Therefore, the point that the President and myself are emphasizing today is that the vaccine is safe and you too must take it.” He said.

He then revealed that now is the time for government to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that people get the right message regarding the vaccine considering that a lot of people are being misinformed.

“In the same vein, I have appealed to stakeholder groups, influencers and opinion leaders to help the government in disseminating the right information to the communities so that more people should be vaccinated. This is our chance to fight the pandemic which has disrupted our lives and the economy,” Chilima added.

Chilima has further reminded the populace that taking the vaccine does not mean the end of the pandemic, he then urged people to continue practicing preventive measures put in place by health personell.

President Chakwera and his wife Monica Chakwera, former head of state Joyce Banda and her husband Chief Justice Richard Banda (Rtd) have also received their first dose of vaccine in Zomba.

Vice president Chilima, deputy minister of health and others have also received their first dose of the vaccine in Mzuzu.

However, people on social media are still doubting that what the president and his vice have received is real vaccine saying that it might be water.