Rwanda has rolled out its Covid-19 vaccine campaign nationwide targeting high-risk groups with more than 392,000 doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer doses.
Health Minister Dr Daniel Ngamije received the injection at Masaka District Hospital in the capital Kigali on Friday, starting the exercise with World Health Organization (WHO) country representative Dr Kasonde Mwinga.
The vaccine is expected to last 48 hours.
Priority high-risk groups include frontline workers, seniors over 65, and people living with basic conditions and disabilities. 171,480 people will be vaccinated.
Rwanda received 240,000 doses of AstraZeneca and 102,960 Pfizer on Wednesday from the Covax facility, a global campaign to ensure fair access to the Covid-19 vaccines.
On Thursday, the country received an additional 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca administered by India, bringing the majority to 392,960 vaccines.
The vaccines were distributed to 50 district and referral hospitals and on to 508 health centers.
According to Dr Ngamije, about 30 per cent of the population will be included by the end of 2021 and 60 per cent in 2022. The Health Minister said that Rwanda is in talks with partners and governments to increase get vaccines for the population around 13 million.
Target group
Christian Ngendahayo, a medical doctor at Kibagabaga Hospital in Kigali, is among those receiving the vaccine. He says the vaccine is a relief as it reduces the risks of being a frontline worker.
“This is a relief and an encouragement. Front workers are at greater risk of catching the virus than others. I believe we can carry out our responsibilities with greater confidence this time around, ”he said.
Local authorities have shortlisted individuals targeting inoculation and provided lists to the health facilities.
Rwanda is among African countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, among others, which have started receiving Covid-19 vaccines under the Covax facility since late February.
East Africa will receive nearly 10 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines from the Covax facility. However, the doses are only distributed to countries that have signed up to be part of the campaign. Kenya will receive 4.2 million, Rwanda 1.1 million, Uganda 3.6 million and South Sudan 864,000.
As of Friday, Rwanda has recorded 19,334 coronavirus cases since March 2020 with 266 deaths. The current proof rate is 3.4 per cent.