Gov’t secures 18 Million #Covid-19 Vaccine doses, each will cost UGX 60,000

COVID-19 UPDATE: The government of Uganda is set to procure 18 million #Covid-19 vaccine doses, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed.

The Health Ministry together with the National Medical Stores (NMS) have placed an order of 18 million doses of Astra Zeneca vaccine from Serum Institute of India which will be used to vaccinate person from the ages of 50 and above, persons with underlying health implications, teachers, security personnel, teachers and other essential workers.

According to government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo, the eligible person will receive two doses in a space of four weeks and each dose costs USD 7 and that is USD 14 per person. The international transportation and handling cost by NMS is USD 3 making a total of Astra Zeneca (approximately Shs60,000) per person.

“The order will be confirmed upon remitting of USD 5 million. COVAX facility managed by Global Alliance for Vaccines and immunisation confirmed that 3,552,000 doses will be imported by end of February or early in March. The vaccines will be available in the country on quarterly basis,” he said.

The move to import the vaccines comes at the time when private sector wants to participate in the importation of the vaccine however cabinet noted that their participation will be guided by #Covid-19 task force headed by the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.

Globally there 102,817,575 confirmed cases of Covid-19, including 2,227,420 deaths, reported to world health organisation (WHO). Uganda has 39579 confirmed cases and 324 deaths.