UGANDA – In an effort to provide a boost to government’s vaccination efforts, Uganda Breweries Limited, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda, and the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda, have partnered with Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) and the Ministry of Health to speed up COVID-19 Vaccination and open up the economy.

The private sector players launched a rejuvenated COVID-19 vaccination drive that will increase the number of vaccination points in the Kampala Metropolitan Area for more people to get access to the available vaccines.

Under the initiative, UBL, Coca-Cola, and other private sector players are sensitizing and mobilising the public to go and get vaccinated against COVID-19, reports Nile Post.

“Through this initiative, we intend to drive awareness of the benefits of vaccination and encourage as many people to get vaccinated. This will be done through mobile sites spread around the city to bring vaccines closer to people and scale up accessibility and convenience.

“The collaboration between the government and private sector is key to ensure that the public health response to the pandemic is strengthened to mitigate the devastating socio-economic impacts of the pandemic,” said Juliana Kagwa of Uganda Breweries Limited.

This initiative complements UBL’s US$1m Raising the Bar program, designed to prepare the hospitality industry for safe reopening by establishing health measures and providing essential training to boost their capacity to reopen their businesses under the respective national guidelines.

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Public Affairs & Communications Director, Simon Kaheru, highlighted that vaccination was imperative to save lives and the economy.

“Everybody should go and get vaccinated otherwise these lockdowns will continue to disrupt our lives.

“All of us should realize in our different businesses that we will not operate normally unless we are protected from COVID-19,” Kaheru said.

Dorothy Kisaka, KCCA Executive Director applauded the parties for the move and encouraged even more private sector players to come on board to increase the uptake of vaccines.

“Our priority is to establish more vaccination centers within the Kampala Metropolitan area. Visit any of these locations and receive your shot. COVID-19 vaccines are safe for you. Protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated,” Ms. Kisaka added.

In South Africa, Heineken has set up a pop-up vaccination site at its Sedibeng Brewery for employees, outsourced service providers, and the employees of neighbouring businesses located in and around Sedibeng.

“To counter the very real possibility of a fourth wave of Covid-19 in November and December, the local vaccination drive efforts remain of paramount importance.

“By increasing access to vaccinations, we hope to help bring South Africa closer to herd/community immunity and thereby, increase the chances of life getting back to relative normality in a post-pandemic world.

“We are grateful to organisations and businesses encouraging their staff and communities to vaccinate,” says executive mayor, Alderman Bongani Baloyi for Midvaal Local Municipality.

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