President Pombe Magufuli says Tanzanians vaccinated abroad returned, infected with a strange COVID-19 variant

Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli.

 

President John Pombe Magufuli says some Tanzanians left the country to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, only for them to return home infected with a “strange” coronavirus variant.

 

President Magufuli alleges that vaccines are unsafe, citing that they are neither significant nor necessary for Tanzanians, warning the country’s health officials to be careful while deciding to receive any vaccinations.

 

“Mtatishwa sana ndugu zangu watanzania. Lakini simameni imara. Ninajua wapo baadhi ya watanzania wameondoka nje ya nchi na kukimbilia maeneo mengine nakwenda kuchanjwa na walipochanjwa huko wametuletea corona ambayo ni ya ajabu sana,” said Magufuli.

 

President Pombe Magufuli was addressing people at the launch of a public forest in Chato, Geita Region, questioned why foreign nations had not found vaccinations for AIDS, Malaria or Cancer if they had good plans with the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

“Chanjo hazifai. Kama wazungu wangekua nauwezo wakuleta chanjo, hata chanjo ya ukimwi ingekua imeshaletwa. Hata chanjo ya kifua kikuu, malaria ama cancer, ingekua ishapatikana,”he asked Tanzanians to put their trust in God. 

 

He said that the country has been COVID-free due to protection from God.

 

 “Tuendelee kumuomba Mungu wetu huku tukichukua tahadhari za kiafya kadri tunavyo ambiwa na wataalamu wetu. Tumeweza kukaa zaidi ya mwaka mzima bila corona. Hata hapa hakuna aliyevaa barakoa. Mungu wetu yuko mblee ya shetani,”he added.

"Siyo kila chanjo ni ya maana kwa Taifa letu. Siyo kila chanjo ina faida kwetu."- Rais Dkt. @MagufuliJP pic.twitter.com/kQAlbVyTKc

— Swahili Times (@swahilitimes) January 27, 2021