Feb, 15th 2021 – Rwanda has begun its first phase of vaccination against Covid-19 with the limited 1,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine administered to high-risk groups, including frontline workers.
The Ministry of Health says the limited initial doses were acquired through international partnership in limited quantities. The country also anticipates receiving additional doses in the coming weeks to allow it to expand the vaccination exercise.
They expect to receive at least 996,000 doses of AstraZeneca and 102,960 doses of the Pfizer vaccine between February and March. According to the ministry, the first and primary beneficiaries of the Covid-19 jab will get it for free.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Health, it states that “Rwanda’s Covid-19 vaccination plan is ready with infrastructure, protocols, and personnel in place.”
The country of 12 million people has recorded just over 17,000 cases and 236 deaths, having implemented some of the strictest coronavirus measures.
The country also rolled out a mass testing exercise for residents with coronavirus symptoms and contacts of Coviod-19 patients in Kigali city. The exercise is set to guide the process of easing the restrictions which will lead to reopening of the economy.
According to Health Minister Daniel Ngamije, Rwanda is prepared to receive one million more dozes of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines in mid-February. He added that there are ultr cold freezers and containers in place in every province to ensure proper storage and distribution of vaccines.
Rwanda is the first country to begin vaccinations in East Africa. It targets to vaccinate 20 percent of the population in 2021 and in two years, vaccinate eight million people.
@RwandaHealth National Vaccination Program has begun vaccinating high-risk groups. pic.twitter.com/Fpq1yDAC8m
— Ministry of Health | Rwanda (@RwandaHealth) February 14, 2021