COVID-19 VACCINES ARRIVE APRIL 21

By SIMON MUNTEMBA THE first consignment of Covid-19 vaccines under the COVAX facility is scheduled to arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on April 21, this year, Health Minister Jonas Chanda has announced. Dr Chanda said the consignment would consist of 228, 000 dosages of vaccines, commonly known as AstraZeneca, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.  The Minister said this in a ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday on the Covid-19 vaccination programme. He said in a spirit of transparent and accountability, the media would be invited to witness the arrival of the consignment. Dr Chanda said administration of the vaccines would be in line with prioritisation to all eligible persons above the age of 18 years, as outlined in the national vaccine deployment plan. “The first people to be considered will be the frontline health workers, followed by other frontline workers performing core societal functions. “This will be followed by people living with other underlying conditions and elderly – those living in congregate settings and then the rest of the population,” Dr Chanda said.