Tanzania received the second batch of Sinopharm vaccines from China on Monday.

The 500,000 doses were received at the Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam by Health Minister Dorothy Gwajima.

Dr Gwajima said the vaccines will help protect 250,000 Tanzanians against the coronavirus.

“Today we are receiving 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines from the government of China for continuing to provide to the citizens with another type of vaccine against Covid -19. This will give citizens the opportunity to choose the vaccine they want,” said Dr Gwajima.

She added that the vaccines have been proven to be effective and safe by Tanzanian specialists and agencies. 

The vaccines would be distributed immediately to health facilities, she said.

Tanzania has so far received 1,058,400 Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) vaccines and another 1,065,600 doses of Sinopharm from the Covax facility.

“To date, statistics show that we have vaccinated 972,476 citizens with Janssen vaccine, equivalent to 91.9 percent," the minister said.

"In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to say that the Janssen vaccines are over since October 19, 2021, and we are now continuing to provide the Sinopharm vaccine.”

Dr Gwajima said that according to figures as of October 31, the total number of Tanzanians who had received the Sinopharm vaccine is 88,546 equivalent to 8.3 percent of the 1,065,600 doses.

Regions that have had a high uptake of the jabs are Ruvuma, Mbeya, Mtwara, Dodoma and Kagera.

“The government will continue to provide vaccination against Covid-19 in various health facilities in the country in accordance with the existing guidelines. We are continuing to insist that vaccines are provided to all the people from age 18,” said Dr Gwajima.

The minister said the vaccinations are voluntary and free of charge. Tanzania hopes to vaccinate about 60 percent of its adult population.