Uganda set to acquire 45million Covid-19 vaccine dozes to vaccinate 27million people

The Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has revealed that Uganda will receive 45 million Covid-19 vaccine dozes which will help the country to  vaccinate over 27 million Ugandans. 

In her address to the media today about Uganda's Covid-19 response, Aceng revealed that Vaccines are expected in the country as follows;

- 18 million doses of the Sinopharm vaccine for 9 million people expected to arrive in phases beginning October 2021.

- 9 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine from the African Union to cater for 9 million people. This is expected to begin arriving in the country in September 2021

- The Covax Facility has committed to provide donations of up to 18 million doses to cover 9 million people.

In her address, the Minister also made the following remarks;

Following the partial lifting of lockdown, data generated has shown the following;

• A consistent reduction in daily confirmed cases from the peak of 1,735 on the 10 July 2021 to a new low of 62 on 15 August 2021 

• A consistent drop in positivity rate from the highest of 22% to an average of 2.8% to-date

• A fall in the daily admissions of the severe and critically ill patients from 204 at the peak to less than 50 per day, to-date.

• A reduction in daily deaths 

However, the drop in the daily number of deaths remains low due to late presentation to the hospitals. 

We have noted that a number of patients undergoing Home Based Care present late to the health facilities thereby leading to poor clinical outcomes. 27% of deaths registered occurred minutes within arrival at the COVID-19 Treatment Units. These could have been averted if the patients sought medical care early. 

Projections from our scientists show that the 3rd wave of the pandemic is likely to peak at 4,000 lab confirmed cases per day, over two times higher than the second wave. 

This means that 15% of the patients will require admission at the health facility and about 9,331 patients may require HDU/ICU admissions. 

The Ministry of Health receives lab results of confirmed cases tested using PCR and antigen rapid diagnostic tests, however some times several districts delay to remit results of the Antigen RDTS due to lack of power or internet. This necessitates harmonization of statistics immediately the delayed results are received.

In this regard, adjustments have been made to the cumulative numbers of confirmed cases to be 118,145.

 New travel measures:

India 🇮🇳 has been removed from Category 1 with effect from today, 20th August 2021 and will be treated as category 2 country. 

 Travelers from India are required to come with results of a negative PCR test done 72 hours prior to travel and will be subjected to mandatory PCR testing upon arrival irrespective of the vaccination status.

With effect from 3 Sept 2021,All travelers (including children) irrespective of vaccination status or country of origin,are required to arrive with a negative PCR test done 72 hrs prior to travel and will be required to undergo mandatory screening and a PCR test at their own cost.

Truck drivers will continue to follow the procedures laid down by the East African Community. Tests must be done prior to travel and evidence provided.

Following testing at the points of entry, the following interventions will be undertaken;

a) Any traveler who tests negative for COVID-19 will be allowed to proceed with his/her onward journey.

b) Any traveler (national or non-national) who tests positive for COVID-19 will be evacuated by the Ministry of Health to a designated COVID-19 isolation facility. 

c) Children under 18 years who test positive for COVID-19 will be allowed to undergo home quarantine with their parent or guardian.