UGANDA – The United States has completed a delivery of 2,919,150 more doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Uganda.

Combined with previous donations, the United States has now provided Uganda more than 9.4 million COVID-19 vaccine doses. 

In addition to vaccine donations, the United States has provided further assistance valued at more than US$122 million to support Uganda’s COVID-19 response.

As the emergence of new COVID-19 variants show, this global pandemic will not end anywhere until it is defeated everywhere

“I am proud to announce the United States has now donated nearly 10 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Ugandan people and that more are on the way,” U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Natalie E. Brown said.

“As the emergence of new COVID-19 variants show, this global pandemic will not end anywhere until it is defeated everywhere. If you are not vaccinated, now is the time to get your jab,” she said, noting that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and help prevent serious illness and death.

Today, Uganda has reported its first seven cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, a health official announced.

The Uganda Virus Research Institute in a statement confirmed the country’s first cases of the variant.

Uganda’s 7-day rolling average of daily new cases has stayed relatively low level over the past two weeks, registering 0.07 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 6, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Uganda, with 45 million people, has recorded just over 127,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 3,256 deaths, according to the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Vaccines are here, but they won’t do any good unless everyone eligible takes the opportunity to protect themselves and their families against the coronavirus,” Ambassador Brown added, calling for increased vaccine uptake. 

In addition to vaccine donations, the United States has provided further assistance valued at more than $122 million to support Uganda’s COVID-19 response. In support of Uganda’s national vaccine rollout, the United States has committed to provided technical and financial support in data management, risk communication, health worker training, human resources support, supply chain strengthening, and cold storage capacity. 

To date, the United States has donated more than 280 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to over 110 countries, more than all other countries in the world combined.

The United States is committed to sharing 1.2 billion vaccine doses where they are needed most. On December 2, President Biden announced a pledge to accelerate vaccine delivery and provide 200 million vaccine doses to countries that need them within the next 100 days.

Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE