One of three countries yet to receive a dose of COVID-19, Burundi is expecting its first vaccines in the coming weeks.
Burundi, Eritrea and North Korea are yet to jab a dose of COVID—19 vaccine but Bujumbura may receive its first delivery after an agreement with the World Health Organisation, African Union and UNICEF.
“We have with the African Union, the World Bank and UNICEF the promise that the first vaccines could arrive here between October 25 and the first fortnight of November, if all goes well,” Minister of Health, Thaddee Ndikumana told reporters in the country.
Ndikumana said the programme is part of a new COVID-19 response plan developed with its global medical partners.
WHO had donated 2.4million vaccines to Burundi, with the government revealing that the dose will be voluntary. With a population of 12 million people, the vaccines are expected to help the country reach a substantial number of its population.
The vaccines according to authorities will be from Johnson & Johnson.
Burundi had gotten its vaccines late as it didn’t pose a show that signified interest in the jabs, but had a turnaround last year after the disease reportedly killed former President, Pierre Nkurunziza. The former President had said God had spared Burundi from its ruins and held the disease with brevity.
Nkurunziza’s successor Evariste Ndashimiye had declared the disease afterwards as the country’s worst enemy.
