The Ministry of Health has announced that they will start rolling out the Sinopharm vaccine following shortage of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

At least 30,515 people have been already vaccinated against coronavirus since the country started its Covid-19 immunisation process. The Gambia has a population of about 2 million people.

“Ministry of Health plans to roll out the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine from the 5th of July 2021. For one to be fully protected with the vaccine, individuals need to receive two doses at an interval of 3 – 4 weeks. 

“The vaccine will be rollout in the country, first starting in West Coast and Greater Banjul Area. The vaccination exercise will take place in Health facilities, different strategic locations within communities and other identified areas,” the ministry’s director of health education Modou Njai said in a statement.

“Ministry of Health Wishes to inform the Public that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine is out of stock in the country.

“However, the ministry wishes to re-assure those who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and are eligible for the second dose, that they will subsequently receive their due dose as soon as it becomes available,” it added.

“The Ministry advised people to maintain and strictly keep their vaccination cards safe and for those who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine would not need to receive a different vaccine apart from AstraZeneca.

“The public is hereby informed that the Medicine Control Agency of The Gambia has given authorization for use of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine following World Health Organization’s approval of the vaccine under the Emergency Use Listing (EUL), giving the green light for the vaccine to be rolled out globally,” he said.    

Reporting by Adama Makasuba