Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is set to unveil the Covid-19 vaccine at the State House in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, as the government prepares to vaccinate its priority population with one million doses of the Janssen vaccine.
Tanzania received 1,058,400 doses of the Johnson&Johnson vaccine from the United States on Saturday as part of the Covax project, according to Health Minister Dorothy Gwaji.
President Samia will be the first to be vaccinated in mainland Tanzania following the commencement of the vaccine campaign, according to Dr. Gwajima.
“The Ministry calls on all other leaders to follow this lead and show the way for all citizens to get this Covid-19 vaccine for free,” she said.
According to Dr. Gwajima, the Health Ministry will inform about vaccine distribution methods and give immunisation procedures in health facilities.
The Tanzanian archipelago of Zanzibar already had some Sinovac vaccinations made in China and began immunizing locals in early July. Vaccination will begin on the mainland on Wednesday.
“Vaccination is one of the most essential and effective strategies in the battle against infectious diseases, including Covid -19, over the world. As a result, Tanzanians should seize this significant opportunity,” she concluded.
More vaccines are expected to arrive from other countries soon, allowing the government to vaccinate more Tanzanians.
The minister also asked residents to continue following Covid-19 preventive guidelines, which include frequent hand washing with clean water and soap, wearing masks, exercising and eating a healthy diet, and using natural medicines that have been approved by the Alternative Medicine Council.