Uganda to Buy 18 Million Doses of Covid Vaccines from Sinopharm

Uganda has placed an order of 18 million doses of Sinopharm vaccines, Dr. Henry Mwebesa, the director-general of health services, said Thursday.

According to the director, they have already signed a commitment letter with the COVAX facility to secure the vaccines from the Chinese pharmaceutical company.

Each dose will be secured at a cost of $5.5, or about Shs19,400.

“On 11th August 2021, the Ministry of Health received an offer of the availability of vaccines from the COVAX facility,” he said.

“The Vaccine Acquisition Committee reviewed the offer and recommended to Ministry of Health to pursue the offer, a cheaper and more reliable option.”

According to China National Biotec Group (CNBG), relying on data from Argentina, the vaccine has an 84 percent death-protection efficacy among people aged 60 and above.

Uganda has so far received vaccines in five phases, with 100,000 doses in the first shipment, 864,000 in the second, 175,200 in the third, 586,080 in the fourth and 299,520 in the fifth round.

As of August 16, a total of 1,235, 052 doses had been administered in the East African country, according to the ministry of health.

Uganda's strategy is mass vaccination of the eligible population (22 million, representing 49.8%) as a means of optimal control of the pandemic and full opening up of the economy.

The government is also securing vaccines for the eligible population: 18 years and above. In addition, consideration will be given to children aged 12-15 years with comorbidities.

The categories eligible for immunization in the current arrangement are individuals who are due for the second dose (having made 12 weeks after their first dose), health workers, teachers, elderly who are 50 years and above, security personal, and those with underlying health conditions who are above 18 years of age.