COVID-19: Mozambique receives first batch of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine

Mozambique has a population of 28 million people spread in eleven provinces and is one of the poorest nations in the world, with a majority living on less than $1 a day. It ranks 180th on the UN Human Development Index out of 188 countries.

The southern African country has recorded 56,920 coronavirus cases and 608 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Mozambique has obtained 200,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China, but its vaccination schedule has yet to be disclosed by the government.

Prime Minister Carlos Agostinho do Rosario got the vaccines at Maputo International Airport claiming that there was more Covid 19 vaccines in the government.

The Sinopharm vaccines were the first batch of doses obtained by the country and were a Chinese government donation.

“The vaccine has to be seen as a complementary measure to prevent and fight Covid-19,” the Prime Minister said.

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High-risk populations, including the projected 60,000 health employees, are supposed to be prioritized by the vaccine drive.

Mr Wang Hejun, the Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique, said that vaccines are the new hope of winning over the new coronavirus.

Meanwhile, since the beginning of this year, the health authorities have recorded the lowest number of Covid-19 casualties in the nation between Tuesday and Wednesday.