By Agnes Kiconco

KIU, Main Campus - The Minister of Health, Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng, on 28th February addressed the media about the COVID-19 vaccination exercise that is expected to commence this month.

"AstraZeneca vaccines from Serum Institute of India: Of the 18 million doses ordered for, 400,000 doses will be initially provided for by Mid-March 2021. The rest will be provided in phases," stated the Minister.

She also added that the rest of the doses will be provided on a quarterly basis in the course of 2021. 

Having said this, she emphasized that none of the above mentioned vaccines have arrived into the country since the Uganda National Drug Authority (UNDA) has currently only registered the AstraZeneca vaccine for use in Uganda and is still in the process of registering the other vaccines.

In the meantime, the ministry is conducting training of teams that will later train the various health workers (trainers of trainers) going to conduct the vaccination exercise when the vaccines finally arrive.

Therefore as all await the arrival of the vaccine, Ugandans have been advised to continue observing the COVID-19 safety guidelines so as to protect themselves and their loved ones.