The first batch of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine have arrived in Botswana this afternoon as a donation from India. A total number of thirty thousand (30 000) are said to be received.
Receiving the vaccine, the Vice President of the Republic of Botswana- Slumber Tsogwane said “this is the beginning of the journey”, he indicated that other batches of different vaccines are expected from different countries starting from the next two weeks. The vice president was accompanied by the Minister of Health and Wellness- Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, the Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation -Dr. Lemogang Kwape, the Chairperson of the Presidential COVID-19 Task Team- Dr. Kereng Masupu, and the High Commissioner of India to Botswana -Dr. Rajesh Ranjan among others.
The vaccine donated is called SII COVISHIELD AstraZeneca which is reported to be manufactured by India. “We are here to receive 30 000 COVID-19 vaccine doses, which is a gift from India, the vaccine is called COVISHIELD which is AstraZeneca. What I can assure Batswana is that, as a Ministry we are ready, we have trained our staff on how to vaccinate using these COVID-19 vaccines. I can also assure you that we are prepared, as you could see that the vehicle that transports the vaccine is refrigerated, even where the vaccine is going to be stored there are prescribed refrigerators ready” Minister Dikoloti asserted.
Dikoloti also indicated that the vaccine is one of the three (3) that has been approved by Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BoMRA) as safe to be used in Botswana. According to the minister, the roll-out plan is ready and it will be presented to the nation in full detail by the department of health. Like the vice president, he also made an assurance that other batches of different vaccines will be received starting from two weeks time. He indicated that BoMRA is also ready and we’ll equiped to test COVID-19 vaccines efficiency and also monitor post vaccination effects if any. 30 000 vaccines are enough to vaccinate 0.013% of the Botswana population.
