By Stuart Bogere

KIU, Main Campus - Namibia has received its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines from the Chinese pharmaceutical firm, Sinovac. These vaccines which were delivered on Tuesday afternoon will help the African country’s immunization campaign against the pandemic.

While receiving the vaccines at the Hosea Kutako International Airport, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said that the arrival of vaccines gives hope to the country’s fight against the Coronavirus.

Netumba highlighted the long-time friendship between Namibia and China saying that she has hopes that China’s vaccines will help the country better manage the pandemic and revive the economy.

Zhang Yiming, Chinese Ambassador to Namibia, said the batch of vaccines is not only a gift to the Namibian people, but also a vivid reflection of the two countries’ political trust and friendship.

According to Health Minister, Kalumbi Shangula, the country will roll out vaccines in line with the Expanded Program on Immunization, and phase I vaccination will begin from March 19 to April 16 in two regions.