Health
Public cautioned against misconceptions as Uganda receives 647,080 Moderna vaccine doses from US Government
As the fight against COVID-19 intensifies and the country prepares for Wave 3 of the Pandemic, Uganda continues to receive vaccine donations from other countries.
On Monday night, the Ministry of Health received 647,080 Moderna vaccine doses from the US government, the eighth batch of doses received in Uganda since March this year.
According to Dr. Munir Safieldin the UNICEF Country Representative, this is the second-largest batch received so far, adding this is a true spirit of sharing. “No one is safe until everyone is safe.”
The US Ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown, says the latest donation is part of the 110 million US Dollars, worth of support offered towards Uganda’s response to COVID-19 since last year.
“The vaccine delivery is part of the US’ commitment to ending the COVID-19 pandemic as quickly as possible. These US donated COVID-19 vaccines will save Ugandan lives,” Brown said.
However, the Ambassador cautioned the public against believing in unverified information about the different vaccines. “Making an educated decision to take the vaccine will ensure that we are all safe,” she said.
Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, the health minister lauded the US government for the donation which was processed through COVAX Facility, the global vaccine sharing arrangement.
According to Minister Aceng, the 647,080 Moderna vaccine doses will be administered to the 300,000 target population who includes teachers, health workers, security officers among others.
She added that Uganda will receive 1.6million doses of Pfizer vaccine by end of this month.
Uganda has so far has received 2,153,140 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 300,000 doses of Sinovac, and 647,080 Moderna doses.
1.4 million people have been vaccinated and of these, 431,655 have received their second dose.
The Minister says the country expects to get 27 million vaccine doses including Johnson and Johnson, through COVAX Facility and the African Union starting the end of this month.
