By Neo Kolane
Lesotho has received 302 400 doses of Johnson &Johnson COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States government.
The donation is a result of close collaboration between the COVAX facility, the African Union (AU)/ African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT), and the US government.
This is the third delivery of many that will be allocated to Lesotho in the coming months. The COVAX Facility is working to accelerate the development of and access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Speaking at the ministry of health headquarters in Maseru yesterday, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Lesotho Rebecca Gonzales said over the the last year, the United States has continued its global leadership in public health and the international COVID-19 response.
“We have moved swiftly to help the Kingdom of Lesotho control the spread of COVID-19, and we will continue to support the vaccine rollout with trusted implementing partners and the ministry of health,” Gonzales revealed.
At the same occasion, Unicef Lesotho deputy representative, Kimanzi Muthingi said the organisation is pleased to see partners, such as the US government, working together to ensure equitable access and timely delivery of vaccines in Africa.
Muthingi described every vaccines arrival to Lesotho as ‘a significant moment’.
“UNICEF remains committed to partner with the government of Lesotho so that all who are eligible have access to COVID-19 vaccines as they become available,” Muthingi said.
The delivery of the vaccines contributes to the AVAT goal of achieving 60 percent coverage across the African continent by 2022.
