Malawi receives first consignment of AstraZeneca vaccines

The first consignment of about 360 000 doses of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines has arrived in the country today.

The consignment was delivered in Malawi through Emirates flight at Kamuzu international Airport at 4 pm

Minister of health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, diplomats and other government officials witnesses the arrival of the vaccine

In a Covid-19 weekly epidemiology report issued on Wednesday, the Public Health Institute of Malawi under the Ministry of Health said besides the initial 360 000 doses arrived today, an additional 99 833 doses from the African Union and 50 000 more from the government of India are also expected in the country soon.

Speaking during a covi19 daily update on Wednesday, Minister of Health Khumbidze Chiponda said “government will first target front line health workers as they are at high risk of getting the infection.”

Over 1 500 health workers have been infected with Covid-19 since the pandemic was first registered in the country in April 2020.

Meanwhile, Health experts have since warned against relaxation on preventive measure for the pandemic as the vaccine offer protection against severe disease, hospitalization and death.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Islam, George Jobe of Malawi Health Equity Network (MEHN) urged Malawians to open up and receive the vaccine.

He however called upon government to increase awareness campaigns on the importance of taking the vaccine which he said “would help reduce the misconceptions that people have against the vaccine.”