KAMPALA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has started giving COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to priority groups as the country grapples with a surge in infection levels.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, health ministry spokesperson told Xinhua by telephone on Monday that the eligible categories include people aged 50 years and above, health workers, teachers, religious leaders, cultural leaders, security personnel, media, and drivers and conductors of passenger service vehicles. The others are boda boda riders, bar and nightclub workers, market workers and vendors.
Richard Mutyaba, a vendor at Nakasero market in the capital Kampala told Xinhua that he received his shot on Monday.
"I have received my third jab of AstraZeneca vaccine to boost my immunity against the COVID-19 virus. I encourage people who are above 50 years to visit any health center and receive this boost jab because I believe we need it since we are of advanced age," Mutyaba said.
At Kampala Capital City hall vaccination center, the turn up was high as both the elderly and youths turned up to get the vaccination. Dorothy Nalubega, a senior nursing officer said they have so far got over 50 people for the booster jab.
"We had rain disruptions earlier on, but now we have settled and over 50 people have got their booster jabs here," she told Xinhua.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, aged 77 years, earlier this month got his booster doses and urged the public, especially those above 50 years, to go for a booster dose to protect themselves against adverse effects of COVID-19.
The country as of Jan. 15 had administered 12.2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines out of its target of 22 million people or half the country's total population, according to the Ministry of Health. ■