By Joel Mugabi
United Kingdom (UK) Government has donated 299,520 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Uganda to help in the vaccination of essential workers and vulnerable people.
The vaccines were donated under the dose sharing arrangement. State Minister for Health in charge of Primary Health Care Margaret Muhanga received the vaccines on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the Ugandan Government.
Minister Muhanga noted that the vaccines will be distributed by Moses Kamabare’s National Medical Stores (NMS) to boost the ongoing vaccination drive across the country.
“I’m delighted that the UK has been able to send a further 299,520 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Uganda to help the most vulnerable and key workers to receive protection through the Covid19 vaccine,” said UK High Commissioner to Uganda Kate Airey.
As Government plans to further reopen other sectors such as education following two months of the second lockdown, vaccination will be a key determinant in President Yoweri Museveni’s decisions.
For schools, for example, Museveni used his July 30 address to make it clear he would only reopen education institutions after vaccination of teachers and students, including those below the age of 18.
To fully reopen, Uganda hopes to vaccinate 22 million people. Today, Dr Henry Mwebesa, the Director General of Health Services at the Health Ministry, revealed that Uganda would get millions of vaccines through the Covax Facility.(For comments on this story, call, text or whatsapp us on 0705579994, 0779411734, 0200900416 or email us at mulengera2040@gmail.com).