Rwanda meets WHO 40% COVID-19 vaccination target for 2021
World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that Rwanda managed to meet the 40% vaccination target for 2021.
The target was set by WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in May last year.
There are three targets, the first of 10% inoculation by September and the second of 40% by the end of 2021, and the third target of 70% inoculation by mid-2022.
Rwanda has about 13 million people.
In a statement, WHO said Rwanda is now on course to meet further global targets.
‘’Of its 13 million habitants, Rwanda has fully vaccinated 40% against COVID-19 as of 24 December 2021. This coverage milestone puts the country on track for meeting further vaccination global targets set by the World Health Organization.
‘’Rwanda reached the first target of 10% inoculation by September and the second of 40% by the end of 2021,’’ the WHO statement said.
Commenting on the issue WHO Immunisation Program Focal Point Dr. Rosette Nahimana said it was not easy adding that the Rwanda government had to step up its efforts.
“This coverage milestone was not a given at first, but the government of Rwanda stepped up. As a result, we witnessed a 30% leap forward between September and December alone,” she said
According to the WHO statement, only half of its member states have vaccinated 40% of their populations by December.
Despite challenges, encountered in accessing the vaccines, many countries adopted innovative and flexible vaccine delivery strategies in a bid to get as many doses into arms as possible.
Countries such as Zimbabwe have largely benefitted immensely from the Chinese donation of Sinopharm and Sinovac.
Zimbabwe had hoped to have vaccinated 10% of its 16 million population by end of 2021 but failed due to various reasons. Some of the reasons include hesitance from the citizens, lack of resources to purchase the vaccines as well as logistical challenges in distribution.
Rwanda meets WHO 40% COVID-19 vaccination target for 2021
