The Tanzanian president has raised doubts about coronavirus vaccines and other measures to curb the spread of the pandemic, doubling his line of reasoning that only God could protect the East African nation. His comments were made the day before the World Health Organization urged the country to take measures to protect its population.
President John Magufuli of Tanzania, speaking to a large unmasked crowd in the northwest of the country on Wednesday, questioned the vaccines’ effectiveness and discouraged the Ministry of Health from seeking doses, saying the injections were not “beneficial” to the nation of East Africa.
“Vaccines don’t work,” said Magufuli, 61, in his speech. “If the white man could invent vaccines, then AIDS vaccines would have been brought. Tuberculosis vaccines would have made that a thing of the past. Malaria vaccines would have been found. Cancer vaccines would have been found. “
On Thursday, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, asked the Tanzanian government share data, establish measures to protect their citizens from the virus and prepare for the vaccine. “Science shows that #VaccinesWork”, Dr. Moeti tweeted.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Tanzanian government has been widely criticized for its approach to the virus, and Mr. Magufuli’s personal denial of the seriousness of public health concerns has become increasingly problematic in recent months. On Wednesday, he warned the Tanzanians about being used as “guinea pigs” when launching the vaccine, asked them to eat well and pray to God, and said they need not wait for any restrictions from their government.
“I don’t expect to announce a blockade even for a day, because our God is alive and will continue to protect Tanzanians,” said Magufuli to applause.
Mr. Magufuli also accused some Tanzanians of leaving the country to get vaccinated, only to bring back a “strange type” of the coronavirus. Mr. Magufuli in the past scoffed at social detachment and wearing masks, promoted an unproven herbal tea from Madagascar as a cure and questioned test kits provided by the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the middle of last year, his government has also not shared any data about the virus with the World Health Organization, with cases reported in the country, which has a population of around 58 million, still in 509, with 21 deaths.
Magufuli was re-elected for a second five-year term in October, in a vote marked by accusations of widespread fraud, crackdown on opposition and restrictions on social media.