KAMPALA — The government will starting next week begin vaccinating different groups of people against Covid-19.
According to the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, health workers, security personnel, teachers and other elderly people will be given priority once the first batch of at least 864,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine arrives in the country on March 5, 2021.
“Uganda targets to vaccinate 49.6% of the population which is about 21,936,011 people, in a phased manner. Each phase is planned to cover 20% of the population which is about 4,387,202 people. The eligible population lies in the age range of 18 years and above,” Dr Aceng said on Tuesday, adding that vaccination will then commence on March 10, 2021.
The minister said about 150,000 public and private health workers across the country will be targeted for vaccination.
“We shall also vaccinate security personnel from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Police and Prisons and these are estimated to be 250, 000. We shall also focus on teachers from both public and private among other essential social service providers which are estimated to be around 550,000,” she told journalists at the media centre in Kampala.
Dr Aceng also said they will vaccinate persons with underlying health conditions but aged below 50 years (estimated at 500,000).
The minister added that health centre IIIs, IVs, regional referral hospitals and specialized Institutions have been designated as vaccination service points in each district.
“Vaccines will be given to eligible persons 8 weeks apart (56 days). However, this can be extended up to 12 weeks as recommended by WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunizations.”
Dr. Aceng said that all persons who are eligible for vaccination will be required to provide a National Identification Card or a passport in the case of non-Ugandans.
