Uganda Receives first batch of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines

Uganda has today Friday 5^th March 2021 received the initial batch of 864,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

The vaccines were received at Entebbe International Airport by a delegation led by the Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng and officials from the World Health Organization Uganda.

The vaccines will be launched on Monday 8th March, 2021 and subsequent distribution to all districts shall take place. Vaccination will begin on 10th March, 2021 following a National launch.

The vaccines will be administered to 49.6% of the population which is about 21,936,011 people in a phased manner, starting with health workers, teachers and then persons aged 18-50 years who have underlying health conditions like hypertension, Diabetes, Cancer, organ diseases such as liver, kidney and heart disease. Each category will be alerted on the days on which to report for vaccination.

Each phase is planned to cover 20% of the population which is about 4,387,202 people and the eligible population lies in the age range of 18 years and above.

In phase 2 and 3 of the COVID-19 vaccination program, the Ministry of Health will roll out the vaccination to age groups between 18 and 50 years of age in a staggered manner until 49.6% of the Ugandan population is vaccinated.

The Ministry of Health has commenced a training exercise of Vaccinators who will administer the vaccines and carry out the vaccination exercise in the respective centers.  All persons eligible for vaccination will be required to provide a National Identification Card for Ugandans and a Passport for the case of non – Ugandans (Foreigner and Refugees).

Speaking to the press early this week, the Health Minister Dr. Aceng said Government Health Center IIIs, IVs, District Hospitals, Regional Referrals, National Referral Hospitals and specialized institutions have been designated as vaccination service points in each District or city and that all vaccinated persons will receive a vaccination card and will be required to present the card for the second dose.

The Ministry of Health and District Task Force have already started engagements with all Stakeholders to create awareness and sensitize the public on the vaccination exercise.

For anyone to be vaccinated, they must give consent, to avoid prosecution in case of side effects.

11 countries and over 11 million COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered across Africa through COVAX so far.