Exhibitions consultant leads from front by getting vaccinated

by Editorial Team
4 minutes read

A local consultant on exhibitions and other business events has led by example through taking the COVID-19 vaccine and going public about it to encourage others.

Sunshine Corporate Communications managing consultant, Lenox Mhlanga was vaccinated against the pandemic last weekend and shared the news on his social media handles.

“So I got my first Sinovac vaccine shot today. As an influencer, I have to set an example. Let’s get the jab to protect each other from COVID-19,” Mhlanga posted on the social media on Saturday.

Business Events engaged Mhlanga this week to discuss this and other issues such as the hesitation by some people to get vaccinated questioning the efficacy of the vaccines that the country is using.

“The first thing is that I asked myself was: what is the alternative? Contracting COVID 19 and possible death? There was no need to choose on that one. Secondly, the vaccines that are available in Zimbabwe have been administered to millions in their home country. What better endorsement than that?” said Mhlanga.

Mhlanga revealed that he was part of the Ministry of Health and Child Care communication team and he had to lead by example.

“I am also partly an influencer and I felt I had the duty to lead by example. As a member of the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Rapid Communication and Community Engagement Working Group, it became apparent that we had to take the lead,” the public relations expert said.

Mhlanga emphasised the need for people to get vaccinated so that the country could achieve its target of vaccinating 60 percent of the population to achieve herd immunity. This would allow the country to get back to normalcy.

“It’s important that we get herd immunity first. So the extent and speed of vaccination is critical at this stage. Before then, we cannot safely reopen or loosen restrictions,” he said.

Asked whether COVID-19 vaccination certificates could be made a prerequisite for attending business events like conferences or exhibitions in future to facilitate safe eventing, Mhlnga indicated that this was likely going by trends elsewhere globally.

“Vaccinations certificates and passports are likely to be a fact of life in the near future. Talk is already there overseas where the pandemic is entering a third phase. The sectors most likely to be affected directly are those related to travel. That in itself is a key component of business. However, I share the optimism of business here in Zimbabwe and Africa in general seeing that up until now the pandemic has not reached alarming levels as compared to Europe, Asia, and North and South America,” Mhlanga said.

The former ZITF public relations manager stressed that businesses in events and other sectors had a key role of getting correct information on the ongoing vaccination programme and passing it on to their staff and customers.

“What is paramount is getting the correct information out to their clients. Clients want assurance that the highest consideration is given to their health and safety. The hotel industry has taken a lead in this in the manner in which they have provided verified and effective information to guests. Business should follow that lead and not drop the ball.”

“It’s important that businesses should take it upon themselves to ensure that they gather the correct information about vaccines and the vaccination programme from verified authorities. The Ministry of Health and Child Care has all the relevant information and protocols that business can follow and filter down to their workers, customers and clients. A well informed population is key to reaching the ultimate goal of herd immunity. That is when we all can be confident enough to loosen the restrictions further,” Mhlanga said.

Mhlanga expressed dismay over some businesses which were dropping their guard in terms of observing COVID-19 safety protocols.

 “I have observed that quite a number of business that have been allowed to open are now suffering from health safety fatigue. They have dropped temperature checks and now rely on mechanical sanitizers without the necessary supervision for customer compliance by staff. That is dangerous. Let us keep our guard because the pandemic is very much around,” he said.

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