The latest update reaching the Mzima news desk indicates that the Ministry of Health will begin with the distribution of AstraZeneca vaccine doses when the third vaccination exercise starts next week.
It should be recalled that the government last week received additional donation of 586,080 doses of vaccines, which comprised 286,080 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the Norwegian government and 300,000 doses of Sinovac from the Chinese government.
According to Dr Alfred Driwale, the head of the Immunisation Programme, they do not want to mix the vaccines to create confusion.
“We don’t want to mix vaccines to create confusion; the first to be distributed will be AstraZeneca. We are still continuing with discussions. So what we are releasing is AstraZeneca for now then after that we will start distribution of Sinovac unless another decision is taken,” Dr Driwale said on Tuesday.
While speaking about the development, Emmanuel Ainebyoona, the Ministry of Health spokesperson, explained that they are still discussing on who will benefit from the latest batch of vaccines.
“We shall come out with clear information; it might be too early to determine the target groups. The ministry will provide further guidance… We are prepared depending on the number of doses; the health workers to carry out the exercise are available,” Mr Ainebyoona said on Tuesday.
According to Sheilla Nduhukire, the spokesperson of NMS, all health centres in various districts will have vaccines by next week and vaccination will kick off immediately.