By Grace Kuria
Rwanda on Wednesday received 240,000 doses of COVAX Covid-19 AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines.
“We are pleased to receive these first AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines through the COVAX initiative, and appreciate the partnerships with the UN family, Gavi, funders as well as manufactures that have made it possible,” Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije said.
Dr. Ngamije further added, “We will immediately roll out our prepared vaccination plan, which will see target risk groups across Rwanda receive their first of two vaccine doses. Our target is to vaccinate 30% of our population by the end of 2021 and 60% by the end of 2022.”
The rollout is expected to start on Friday, the 5th of March, with priority being given to high risk populations which include: frontline workers, people aged above 65 years, Health Care Workers and those with underlying health conditions.
The second shipment of 102,960 doses of the Pfizer vaccine also from the COVAX facility is expected to arrive Wednesday evening.
Rwanda has thus far recorded 19,111 coronavirus cases and 265 deaths.
