By Hannatu Sadiq
Uganda’s Ministry of Health has said those who are unable to access the second dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine due to shortage will be allowed to take the Pfizer vaccine so as to be fully vaccinated.
“These are the only brands that can be mixed. You can get your second dose as AstraZeneca or Pfizer. If you got AstraZeneca first as dose one and there is no AstraZeneca for your second dose you can get Pfizer,” Director for General Duties at the Ministry of Health, Dr Henry Mwebesa, said on Tuesday.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on vaccines earlier in June, said the Pfizer vaccine could be used as a second dose after an initial dose of AstraZeneca, if the latter is not available.
However, the WHO also warned individuals against mixing of various vaccines, saying only public health authorities should be entrusted with that.
Dr Mwebesa also said the Chinese vaccine, Sinovac, cannot be mixed with others, while the Johnson & Johnson can only be administered as a single shot.
The Health Ministry’s spokesperson, Mr Emmanuel Ainebyoona, said Uganda would receive a donation of 647,010 doses of the Pfizer vaccine between July 21 and July 27.
