The Ministry of Health has said Uganda will participate in the global COVAX initiative for COVID-19 vaccine access.
According to Dr. Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, the country has already submitted an application to this effect, which has been accepted by the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI).
This was resolved in the meeting between the National Task Force on COVID-19 chaired by President Museveni held at State House, Entebbe.
The meeting noted that there had been a surge in reported cases of COVID-19 within the country (up to 88% or 22,000 cases) during the last three months.
It also observed that there is an urgent need to access the COVID-19 vaccine for the people of Uganda, not only as a mitigating strategy against severe disease and deaths, but also a public health measure to enable a safe return to normalcy.
“Based on the evidence available and the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Health, Uganda will access the vaccine from AstraZeneca,” Atwine said in a statement.
She noted that Uganda will also explore other traditional vaccine options such as the one from China, when they receive approval from the World Health Organization.
“The access of the vaccine will be done in an equitable manner starting with the most vulnerable and those at more risk,” she noted.
The meeting also directed Atwine to initiate preparation to ensure readiness to receive and expeditiously distribute the vaccine to the population.
