The Government of Rwanda is set to acquire the coronavirus vaccine in the first quarter of 2021, according to the Minister for Health Dr Daniel Ngamije.

Ngamije was appearing on the national broadcaster, Sunday, December 13, where he was joined by the Minister of Local Government, Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Soraya Hakuziyaremye and the Rwanda National Police Spokesperson, CP Jean Bosco Kabera.

Ngamije noted that Rwanda has already submitted all the necessary requirements to the Covax framework, a global initiative that aims to speedily and affordably secure doses of the Covid-19 vaccine for member countries, once the vaccine is available.

He also revealed that the country applied for two types of vaccines, namely; AstraZeneca and Moderna.

"Rwanda is ready to receive and properly administer AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines by using the already existing cold supply chain. Request for those vaccines was already made. And we hope that the country will be among the first countries in Africa to receive them.”

In addition, the minister said that "Rwanda is ready to receive, store and distribute the Covid-19 vaccine. We are among the 95 countries selected to get the vaccine.”

Commenting on the primary beneficiaries, he pointed out that "At the moment, we are identifying the priority population who include those at high risk of containing the virus as well as essential workers.”

"Upon securing the vaccine, the public will be educated about the vaccination and the possible minor side effects,” Ngamije added.

60 per cent target

According to Minister Ngamije, only 20 per cent of Rwanda’s population will be vaccinated in the first phase due to the available resources.

However, he said that the country seeks to increase the number to roughly 60 per cent.

"For the first phase of Covid-19 vaccinations, we are targeting 20 per cent of the population. But this doesn’t stop us from engaging other countries in order to secure more doses to be able to vaccinate at least 60 per cent of the population,” he reiterated.

Upon securing the vaccine, Minister Ngamije said that it will be free of charge to all the primary beneficiaries.

In an earlier interview with The New Times, the Minister of State in charge of Primary Health Care at the Ministry of Health, Dr Tharcisse Mpunga highlighted that Rwanda seeks $15 million dollars to acquire the Covid-19 vaccine once available.

While developing countries have to wait longer, several countries including the UK, US have already started administering the vaccine.

On December 8, the UK kicked off what the country referred to as a mass Covid-19 vaccination programme. The country is administering the PfiZer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

Meanwhile, the Minister said that the public is reminded to exercise heightened vigilance adhering the Covid-19 preventive measures, especially during the festive season that is around the corner.

As it stands, Rwanda has confirmed a total of 6,528 Covid-19 cases, of whom 5,892 patients have recovered.

A total of 56 patients have succumbed to the virus.