Uganda is targeting to vaccinate 49.6% of the population which is about 21,936,011 people, in a phased manner, Jane Ruth Aceng, the country’s Health Minister has revealed.
“The revised target population for vaccination in Uganda stands at 21,936,011 persons equivalent to 49.6% of population of Uganda compared with the target population earlier communicated (60% and 27,000,000 people) in line with WHO and Africa CDC global guidance,” Aceng said while addressing the press about COVID-19 vaccination program.
Aceng, who was franked by Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Diana Atwine, added that the arrival of the initial batch of 864,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines will be on the 5th of March 2021 and vaccination scheduled to begin on the 10th March 2021.
“Each phase is planned to cover 20% of the population which is about 4,387,202 people. The eligible population lies in the age range of 18 years and above,” Aceng said.
In the context of global pressure on vaccine stocks, she added, the priority persons to be vaccinated is guided by the occupational risk of infection, risk of developing severe disease, death from COVID- 19, and population characteristics (age, gender and geographical location).
“COVID-19 vaccines are new and additional information keeps emerging to guide the planning for vaccination; this includes the criteria for targeting population groups,” the Minister added.
