• First consignment of Covid-19 vaccines under Covax facility is scheduled to arrive on 12th April.
• This consignment will consist of an initial 228, 000 doses of the Covi-shield vaccine, commonly known as AstraZeneca.
• More consignments of Covid-19 vaccines are expected to follow in due course.

Minister of Health has disclosed that the First consignment of Covid-19 vaccine under the Covax facility is expected to arrive in the country on Monday 12 April 2021.
Delivering a Ministerial statement to Parliament today, Dr. Jonas Chanda said the consignment, scheduled to arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, will consist of an initial 228, 000 doses of AstraZeneca, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
Dr. Chanda stated that the Covax facility will cover 20% of the eligible adult population about 18 years old, of over 3 million Zambians, while of the remaining 46 percent, 26% will be covered under the other pillars.
He said the Covax facility is one of the vaccines in the basket approved by Cabinet, adding that more consignments are expected to follow in due course.
“Government of the Republic of Zambia is pleased to announce that the first consignment of the Covid-19 vaccines under the Covax facility is scheduled to arrive at Kenneth Kaunda international Airport on Monday 12th April, 2021 at 14:35 hours. This consignment will consist of an initial 228, 000 doses of the Covi-shield vaccine, commonly known as AstraZeneca, manufactured by the Serum institute of India.”
“This is only one of the vaccines in the basket approved by Cabinet. More consignments of Covid-19 vaccines are expected to follow in due course and the nation will be informed according. In the spirit of transparency and accountability, members of the Press will be invited to witness the arrival of this consignment,” Dr. Chanda said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chanda revealed that the first category of people to be considered for the Vaccine administration will be frontline health workers, Police officers and other Security forces, teachers, traditional leaders, the clergy, and immigration officers.
He added that those living in congregate settings and the rest of the population who are eligible will also be vaccinated including marketeers, traders, bus and truck drivers and others.
Dr. Chanda said Covax facility will cover 20% of the eligible adult population about 18 years old, that is 3, 676, 791 people while the rest of the 46%, 26% will be covered under the other pillars under the vaccine program.
“While all adults above the age of 18 are eligible to be vaccinated, administration will be in accordance with the prioritization criteria, as outlined in the national vaccine deployment plan to ensure that those at greatest risk receive the vaccines first.”
“The first category to be considered will be frontline health workers, followed by other frontline workers performing co-societal functions, including the police, the security forces, teachers, traditional leaders, the clergy, and Immigration officers. This will be followed by those over the age of 65 and those with underlying conditions.