Press release

The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public that that the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is out of stock in the country. However, the ministry wishes to re-assure those who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and are eligible for the second dose that they will subsequently receive their due doses as soon as it becomes available.

Please note that any delay in receiving the second dose would not have any negative consequences on individuals and therefore would not need to start fresh the vaccinations.

The ministry advise people to maintain and strictly keep their vaccination cards safe and for those who received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine would not need to receive a different vaccine apart from AstraZeneca.

In a similar development the public is hereby informed that the Medicine control Agency of the Gambia has given authorisation for the use of the SinoPharm Covid-19 vaccine following WHO’s approval of the vaccine under emergency use listing giving the green light for the vaccine to be rolled out globally.

Therefore, the Ministry of Health plans to roll out the SinoPharm Covid-19 vaccine from the 5 July 2021. For one to be fully protected with the vaccine individuals need to receive two doses at in interval of three to four weeks. The vaccine will be roll out in the country first starting in the West Coast Radio and Greater Banjul Area. The vaccination exercise will take place in health facilities, different strategic locations within communities and other identified areas.