• The next vaccine doses under the Covax facility are expected to be delivered in May 2021.
• Provincial and district launches will be held country-wide over the next few days.
• In Zambia, 90,389 people have been infected with Covid-19 while 1,229 people have died.

Minister of Health has launched the National Covid-19 Vaccination Program in Lusaka.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Jonas Chanda stated that Provincial and district launches will be held country-wide over the next few days.
Dr. Chanda said the vaccinations will be conducted at selected vaccination sites in each district as well as in some outreach posts.
He reiterated that government has resolved to ensure that the Covid-19 vaccination programme is implemented in a cautious and phased up manner, and on a pilot and voluntary basis.
Dr. Chanda further said the programme will be an additional tool in Zambia’s response to the pandemic in order to curb the further spread of the infection and protect the population from severe illness, hospitalization and death, as well as mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on the economy.
“I am therefore pleased that we can begin the roll-out of the vaccinations immediately as we are dealing with a deadly pandemic which has devastating health and socioeconomic impact on Zambia, Africa, and the world. In Zambia as of today, 90,389 have been infected while 1,229 people have died. And, I wish to announce that provincial and district launches will be held country-wide over the next few days as the vaccines reach every province and every district.”
“May I take this opportunity to inform the nation that we will utilize the entire 228,000 doses to provide the first dose of vaccines to priority groups. The next vaccine doses under the Covax facility are expected to be delivered in May 2021, and more consignments will follow thereafter. Other vaccines will be acquired under the different pillars earlier announced,” Dr. Chanda said.
He encouraged all eligible Zambians above the age of 18 years to get vaccinated so as to protect themselves and those around them, emphasizing that there will be no mandatory vaccination, adding that the vaccines will be administered to all willing persons above the age of 18 years in keeping with the national vaccine deployment plan.
“We will begin with our frontline health care workers, in both public and private health facilities. I am, therefore, very delighted to join our gallant health care workers here at the University Teaching Hospitals as we kick-start this roll-out today.”
“Other frontline workers performing core societal functions including, but not limited to, the police, defense and security personnel, immigration officers, teachers, judiciary staff, traditional leaders, the clergy, truck and public transport drivers and the media will follow. these will be followed by the elderly above 65 years and persons living with other chronic disease conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes (or sugar disease) and cancer. Then, people living in congregate settings and the rest of the population will also be covered. I wish to emphasize that no one will be left behind. The goal is to ensure that those that are most-at-risk receive the vaccination first.”
He thanked bilateral and multi-lateral partners and donors for their unwavering support they have continued to render to Zambia’s Covid-19 vaccination programme.
And United Nations Resident Coordinator, Dr Coumba Mar Gadio called on Zambians to be vaccinated as the vaccines are safe.
Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador to Zambia Jacek Jankowski encouraged the Ministry of Health to prioritize the elderly and those with underlying conditions as they are at high risk of contracting the virus.
Zambia received the first consignment of the Covid-19 vaccines, Covi-shield, also known as AstraZeneca, under the Covax facility on Monday this week, consisting of 228,000 vaccine doses.