Uganda has applied through the Global Alliances for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) to secure the COVID-19 vaccine from drugmaker AstraZeneca amid surging cases in the country, the ministry of health said Tuesday.
Henry Mwebesa, director-general of health services, said in a statement that the application process is in the advanced stage and the public would be informed when the vaccine arrives in the country.
“It’s important to note that only vaccines approved by the ministry of health and WHO can be administered to the population of Uganda,” Mwebesa added.
As of Monday, Uganda had registered a total of 23,860 COVID-19 cases, 9,510 recoveries and 207 deaths since the first case was reported on March 21.
The ministry has warned that the COVID-19 situation in the country is getting worse. It has urged the public to follow prevention procedures.