TANZANIA – Tanzanian Prime Minister, Kassim Majaliwa, has revealed latest data of COVID-19 vaccination rollout, saying 80 percent of the first consignment of 1,058,400 doses has been administered, signaling a high response from the public.

Equally, the Premier reiterated the government commitment to ensure the health of Tanzanians is highly protected at all times.

Mr. Majaliwa disclosed this while inaugurating the annual Economic Empowerment Forum held in Dodoma, calling upon the public to continue taking all precautionary measures against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, including taking the vaccines.

The increase in number of vaccinate people is attributed to “Rapid and Participatory National COVID-19 Immunization Campaign,” run by the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in partnership with the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government, PO-RALG).

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also been imploring all relevant authorities, religious leaders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to continue educating the public about the importance of immunization.

The Premier maintained that the government will ensure the COVID-19 vaccines are available and accessible to the public, pointing out that the jabs will continue to be issued in gathering among other centres, to allow more people to access the vaccine amidst their busy schedules.

On the other hand, Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner (RC), Mr. Stephen Kagaigai, revealed that 36,730 people have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the region accounting for more than 50 percent of the region’s COVID-19 quota.

“In the first phase, our region received a total of 60,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine whereas by September 28th, this year, a total of 36,730 people had received the vaccines,” said Mr. Kagaigai, noting that the region’s administration is working day and night to ensure all vaccines is administered by October 14, this year.

Last Saturday, the Chief Government Spokesperson, Mr. Gerson Msigwa, said Tanzania will soon receive the first and second consignment of 489,042 doses and 576,588 doses of Sinopharm vaccine from China, as part of the Covax facility.

The government has approved five kinds of COVID-19 vaccines which can be used in the country including Pfizer, Janssen, Moderna, Sinopharm and Sinovac.

Would you like to get regular updates of such news articles? Subscribe to our HealthCare Africa News, email newsletters, which provide the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s health, pharma and biotech industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE