First Batch of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccines Arrives in Uganda

A total of 196,800 doses of Johnson and Johnson vaccines procured with funding from the government were flown into the country last night.

The consignment, which was acquired through the African Union, was officially received by the health ministry Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, the ministry tweeted Thursday night.

Unlike other vaccines where two doses are being administered, with J&J, only one dose will be used.

In his September 22 address, President Yoweri Museveni said the country was set to receive over 11.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of November of which 1.2m doses are from J&J.

Last week, the health ministry received 335,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines donated by Ireland, taking the total to over 5.4 million doses, according to Margaret Muhanga, the state minister for primary health care.

A little over 2.2 million doses have been used, according to the health ministry. Uganda's strategy is to vaccinate 22 million people, or 49.8% of the population.

The first phase will cover people with comorbidities that are 18 years and above, elderly aged 50 and above, health workers, teachers, and security personnel. In the second phase, anyone 18 years and above will be immunized and, in the third phase, children below 18 will be immunized following recommendations from the Scientific Advisory Committee.

To re-open businesses like bars and entertainment events, the president said that 4.8 million people in the priority population will have to be vaccinated. These include health workers, teachers, security personnel, elderly persons of 50 years and above, those below 50 years with comorbidities and 330,000 students in post-secondary institutions aged 18 years and above