Uganda To Buy COVID19 Vaccine From UK's AstraZeneca

A meeting held on Saturday, January 2021 by the National Task Force on Covid19 chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe agreed to buy the COVID19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company with its headquarters in Cambridge, England. The decision to use AstraZeca is based on recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Committee.

Dr. Diana Atwine, the Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, who made the revelation in a publically share press statement, said Uganda will also explore other traditional vaccine options such as one from China when they receive approval from the World Health Organizations.

"Access of the vaccine will be done in an equittable manner starting with the most vulnerable and those at more risk," Dr. Atwine said. She was directed to initiate preparation to ensure readiness to receive and distribute the vaccine to Ugandans.

The meeting noted that there has been a surge in reported cases of COVID19 within the country, rising to 22, 000 cases during the three months; necessitating an urgent need for access to vaccines.

Uganda will participate in the Global COVAX initiative for COVID19 vaccine access and has already submitted an application to this effect. The application has been accepted by the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI).