Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global public health problem that has affected the globe in different ways. There is little information published on the challenges and lessons learnt in responding to the COVID-19 epidemic in Zambia. Objective: To establish Zambia’s response, lessons and the challenges experienced in the fight against COVID-19. Results: Since the emergence of COVID-19, Zambia has experienced three waves, with the third wave being the most severe. The Zambian government responded positively and effectively to all three pandemics with the help of cooperating partners. Zambia adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended prevention methods such as hand hygiene, masking up in public, physical distancing, avoiding crowded areas and staying at home to prevent the further spread of the disease. Additionally, surveillance of COVID-19 was strengthened, which led to the early detection of cases. Besides, there has been a strong call for all Zambian adults to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a way of controlling the epidemic. However, since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination programs, there has been a high level of vaccine hesitancy, causing Zambia to fall below the 10% of the adult population required to be vaccinated. Conclusion: The Zambian government put in place effective strategies in the fight against COVID-19. However, a lack of resources, misinformation, myths and vaccine hesitancy posed challenges in the fight against COVID-19 in Zambia. There is a need for continuous public education and sensitization on COVID-19 and the importance of vaccinations.
Highlights
Like many other African countries, Zambia, a developing country in the southern part of Africa, is plagued by infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis, malaria, and diarrhoeal diseases [1]-[7]
Since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination programs, there has been a high level of vaccine hesitancy, causing Zambia to fall below the 10% of the adult population required to be vaccinated
The number of adult Zambians vaccinated against COVID-19 is still very low because it is still below the 10% recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)
Summary
Like many other African countries, Zambia, a developing country in the southern part of Africa, is plagued by infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDs, tuberculosis, malaria, and diarrhoeal diseases [1]-[7]. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health problem found in China in 2019 and is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) [16] [17]. It was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 11th March 2020 after it had affected several countries [18] [19] [20] [21]. This paper may be used in the preparation and response to future COVID-19 waves and related pandemics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
