Abdi Kasige Simba, a traditional healer in the Iringa region of Tanzania, understands COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. “For some, to be vaccinated is contrary to our morals and culture,” he said. Even he needed some convincing. 

But once he experienced no negative side effects after receiving his own vaccination, Abdi joined a diverse set of community leaders in the promotion of COVID-19 vaccinations to Tanzanians.

“Our natural medicines and the vaccine are very similar,” Abdi said. “The only difference is the design of the medicine. But the goal [of both] is to heal people.” 

Through the Initiative for Global Vaccine Access (Global VAX), USAID partnered with the Government of Tanzania to rapidly vaccinate the country against COVID-19 using a variety of strategies, such as harnessing the influence of community leaders. In just five months, the country's vaccination rate jumped from 15% to 87% of the eligible population.

In addition to healers, religious leaders from all faiths have served as ambassadors in their communities, helping people understand both the safety and importance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Salim Binde, a Muslim religious leader, uses his place of worship to educate the community, dispelling rumors and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. “Some people think the vaccine can make women sterile and destroy their menstrual system. For men, they feared becoming impotent,” he said.

“Before the vaccination session in Iringa, the situation was chaotic," Salim said. "We now say thank you, because after taking the vaccine, the situation returned to calm."

Government officials have also played an important role in increasing awareness about the vaccine. Iringa District Commissioner Mohamed Moyo raises the topic in community meetings. 

“I educate and influence people with real examples that this vaccine is not harmful,” Mohamed said. “Sometimes I also show my vaccination card and pictures to support it.” 

Mohamed coordinates with health care workers to ensure mobile vaccination units are on-site at meetings so those eligible can get the shot immediately.

Health care workers also attend larger events, such as community radio shows and football matches, to reach more people with the vaccine, but not everyone is comfortable due to a perceived stigma. 

“There were those who were afraid to be vaccinated in public, but at home it was easy for them to understand and make a decision,” said Mgambi Malembela, a health care worker in Iringa.

When Mgambi and her team saw this, they had the idea to take the vaccines door to door. 

“We formed groups of four per household and talked to almost 90 to 120 people per day. And we were successful that way,” Mgambi said.