Tanzania on Friday received its second batch of Sinopharm vaccine from China through the Covax facility.

The 1,065,600 was received at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam by Health Minister Dorothy Gwajima.

“These vaccines are to be administered in two doses – the second dose is given after 28 days. We must complete the dose to get the appropriate immunity.” Dr Gwajima 

“These Sinopharm vaccines, like Jansen's, have been proven to be effective and safe and have scientifically acceptable effectiveness as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as our expert committee.” 

Dr Gwajima said Tanzanian health authorities will take samples of the vaccines, as is our custom for all vaccines and drugs received in the country, and access them just as it was dome for the first phase of vaccinations. They will then be distributed to vaccination centres.

Minister Gwajima said that the country had vaccinated 760,962 Tanzanians in the mainland and 10,800 in Zanzibar as of October 7.

“In addition, I am told that the response is overwhelming and the first phase of the vaccine is expected to be completed by the end of next week,” she said.

Vaccines will be provided at health facilities voluntarily and free of charge, the minister added.

Tanzania is set to receive more vaccines in the coming weeks and will continue to provide information and procedures for each of them.