It appears as if Botswana is faced with the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) vaccines crisis. So far only One hundred and eleven thousand, one hundred and sixty-four (111 164) people have been fully vaccinated.
On the other hand, one hundred and seventy-three thousand, five hundred and twelve (173 512) has received the first jab only. The mentioned might not be able to receive the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine as the Ministry of Health and Wellness have announced that they are experiencing shortages.
“Some vaccination centres inoculating second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine across the country, have started experiencing shortages. The shortfall in the AstraZeneca vaccine is about 15 000 doses, resulting in people of the same number likely to get their second doses beyond the initially anticipated 12 weeks” the ministry announced.
Botswana have so far received close to Five hundred thousand (500 000) vaccines, of which most were Sinovac, there also was AstraZeneca and Pfizer.
The ministry says those affected by the shortage will be given Pfizer or Moderna as second dose in place of AstraZeneca. The ministry says this decision was reached after “considering this challenge and trends in other countries like in Europe and Canada”. However, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines also are not readily available.
In the national address speech three (3) days back the president announced that Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are expected to arrive by December 2021.
According to the statement from the ministry of health and wellness, there has been a delay in the arrival of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which was to be used as a second dose. The consignment, which is procured though the COVAX facility was expected to arrive in the last week of June 2021 according to the Ministry. The vaccine expected delivery is now ” likely to take place in August 2021.”, the Ministry has revealed.
