Whereas many countries are racing to vaccinate their population against COVID-19 in a bid to contain its spread, President John Pombe Magufuli has warned Tanzanians against the remedy.
The head of state expressed reservations on the foreign-made vaccines claiming they were dangerous and their adoption should not be taken lightly.
Magufuli admits there’s COVID-19 in Tanzania blames citizens who travelled to foreign countries “You should stand firm. Vaccinations are dangerous.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 27, Magufuli argued that If the White man was able to come up with vaccinations, he should have found a vaccination for AIDS by now; he would have found a vaccination of tuberculosis by now; he would have found a vaccination for malaria by now; he would have found a vaccination for cancer by now,” said Magufuli.
The Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) leader, in turn, directed the country’s Ministry of Health to only adopt vaccinations after they had been certified by Tanzania’s own experts.
They don’t love us
He implored his countrymen not to be hoodwinked by everything that was being brought to them by foreign nations.
“Let’s not think that they love us very much. This country is rich. Africa is rich, and everyone is jealous of our vast wealth. We must be very careful,” he added.
The 61-year-old warned that the remedy might have adverse repercussions citing an example of a country where girl children were vaccinated against what was purported to be cervical cancer but ended up being infertile.
There is COVID-19
Magufuli blamed “few” coronaviruses cases in the country on citizens who travelled to foreign countries and returned home.
He said although some people had tested positive for COVID-19, the cases recorded so far were few and negligible.
The controversial leader insisted the disease could have hit Tanzanians had they not turned to God for prayers and ensuring they ate healthy to boost their immune system.
Whereas he admitted for the first time the possibility that the country could be witnessing COVID-19 cases, he remained adamant on imposing lockdown and travel restrictions.