Namibia’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic will receive a further boost with the southwest African nation expected to receive a donation of 75,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Netherlands.
The consignment is scheduled to arrive at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on Sunday, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health.
The ministry added that the doses will only be reserved for persons who already received a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to the limited number being received.
“The Ministry is therefore calling upon those members of the public who have been waiting to receive their second dose of AstraZeneca to go to the nearest vaccination site as from Tuesday, 10 August, 2021,” the statement added.
The statement went on to urge patience among members of the public who wish to get their first dose noting that it was doing everything possible to get additional doses to administer.
Last month, Namibia appealed to European countries that had reached a “significant” COVID-19 vaccination coverage to release doses to countries which urgently need them, including itself.
Namibia had been experiencing a deadly third wave of infections and deaths which overwhelmed its health system and was exacerbated by reports of low vaccination uptake among the population.
However, last week, President Hage Geingob announced a relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions for two weeks following a decline in the number of cases.
Schools were allowed to resume face-to-face learning, as was travel around the country. Restaurants and food establishments were permitted to resume on-site meals subject to compliance with health and safety protocols while indoor and outdoor swimming pools and playgrounds were also reopened.
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