Uganda has received 1,674,270 doses of Pfizer vaccine from the United States in support of the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination exercise.
This follows the donation of 647,080 Moderna COVID19 vaccine doses by the U.S. government on Sept 6.
The Ministry announced this is the largest consignment of COVID-19 vaccines received to-date after donations from China, France and United Kingdom.
Today’s donation brings to almost four million, the total number of vaccines received by Uganda.
“The evidence is clear: these vaccines are safe and highly effective,” said U.S. Ambassador Natalie Brown on Monday afternoon while handing over the vaccines to the Health Ministry officials at Entebbe International Airport.
“The vaccines are one of the most important tools we have in reducing risk of COVID-19 and bringing the pandemic to an end,” she added.
The coronavirus pandemic has so far claimed 3,129 lives since its outbreak in March 2020. 350 COVID-19 patients are admitted in hospitals all over Uganda.
Results of COVID-19 tests done on 18 September 2021 confirmed 65 new cases.
The cumulative number of confirmed cases is 122,277 with a test positivity rate of 2.1%, according to the Health Ministry and cumulative recoveries at 95,897.
The COVID-19 prevention measures, especially curfew, have crippled Uganda’s popular nightlife, a major source of livelihood for millions of people.
Schools and social gatherings also remain suspended or with heavy restrictions.
Government intends to fully reopen the economy after vaccinating at least 7 million people.
So far, 1,777, 685 doses have been administered in Uganda.
Natalie said U.S. has so far donated 136 Million vaccine doses and that more were on their way across Africa.
The vaccines will be stored at National Medical Stores (NMS) in Entebbe.
NMS General Manager Moses Kamabare said the facility has since strengthened its capacity to store ultra-cold vaccines.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine need to be kept at minus 70 degrees Celsius.
NMS stores Ebola vaccines at – 80 degrees celsius.
By September 6, Uganda had received a total of 2,153,140 doses of the AstraZeneca, 300,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine and 647,080 of Moderna.
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