Grasham Namita (55) gazed across the tranquil waters of Lake Malawi as he stood on the shore of Chisi Island, but his thoughts were far from the usual rhythm of life. On this day, Namita would receive the COVID-19 vaccine, marking the start of a new chapter for him and his community.
Chisi Island is about five kilometres from Kachulu Harbour and about thirty-five kilometers from Zomba municipality. The Island, situated in the Zomba district, covers an area of about twenty-one square kilometers and is surrounded by marshes to its west and open waters to its east.
For months, Namita was initially reluctant to get the vaccine in the first phase of vaccinations, his mind filled with myths and rumours about side effects that had spread within communities. Stories of strange ailments and long-term effects had kept him, and many others, at bay.
Namita had always prided himself on his independence, moving between Chiyampiri village on the island and the mainland where his family lived in Phalombe. But as the months passed and the pandemic continued, he realized that the virus posed a greater threat than the vaccine ever could.
“I heard many things, but in the end, I couldn’t risk it anymore,” Grasham explained, his deep voice steady as he spoke. “I have a family to think about—four children waiting for me. If I don’t protect myself, how can I protect them?”
His decision to receive the vaccine came at a crucial time. Since the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine by the Ministry of Health in March 2021, efforts to reach remote and vulnerable communities have been ramped up.
The boat’s arrival was the culmination of months of planning and preparation by the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), a clear sign that no place was too remote to be reached.
The Health Surveillance Assistant (HSA), a young man with a determined expression, was at the helm of the operation. Behind him, members of the WHO team and District Health Office (DHO) carried a cooler box—the lifeline for the island’s residents, holding precious doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
Namita stood still, watching them approach with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. As the boat docked, the HSA greeted Namita with a warm smile. He explained the process, the benefits of the vaccine, and the protection it would offer as Namita rolled up the sleeve of his worn shirt, exposing his arm to receive the first dose.
“I’m grateful,” Grasham said quietly, nodding at the HSA. His words were simple, but his gratitude ran deep. Grateful that the vaccine had reached his small island, grateful for the protection it would offer him and others, and grateful for the opportunity to lead by example.
Around him, a few curious onlookers had gathered, watching the scene unfold with cautious interest. The residents of Chiyampiri village had shared Grasham’s hesitation, but seeing him—strong, respected, and the first to step forward—began to ease their fears.
With support from WHO, Canada’s Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE) and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance Gavi, a critical partner in ensuring access to life-saving immunizations in low-income countries, Malawi has seen a steady increase in vaccine uptake However, reaching isolated areas like Chiyampiri village has been a challenge.
The situation of the vaccine uptake worries Philip Mwanda, Health Surveillance Assistant for the communities around Lake Chirwa, for whom the uptake of the vaccine to date is far from ideal.
“Not many people have been vaccinated, partly because they don’t know the benefits of the vaccine, and there is limited access since the island communities are largely inaccessible and the recent floods cut of most of these communities limiting our reach to health facilities and the reach of the facilities to us,” Mwanda says.
The recent campaign targeted zero- dosed populations living in underserved communities, with a special focus on high-risk groups like the elderly and those with comorbidities.
As the Ministry of Health continued its efforts to reach an 80% vaccination rate for high-risk groups by June 2025, people like Namita would be the catalyst for change in their communities.
Through such targeted efforts Malawi has improved primary series coverage in high-risk populations with uptake increasing in persons living with comorbidities from 12.1% in December 2022 to 49% as of September 2024. Coverage in older people has also improved from
For Namita, the decision to receive the vaccine was about more than just personal protection. It was about setting a precedent for his fellow islanders, showing them that the future lay not in fear, but in trusting the science that had been developed to protect them.
“I hope more will come forward,” Namita said as he looked around at his neighbours. “We can’t keep waiting. The virus is out there, and the vaccine is here now. It’s time.”
In the days to come, more boats would arrive, and more vaccines would be administered as access improves across Malawi’s priority districts. But for now, on this quiet island in the middle of Lake Chilwa, it was Grasham Namita’s courage and gratitude that had paved the way forward for his community.
