The Spanish government provides 300,000+ doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Senegal

DAKAR (Senegal), February 9, 2022 – The Government of Spain provided 302,400 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines to Senegal. The delivery of these doses through the COVAX mechanism aims to support Senegal's national vaccination efforts. Senegal is one of Spanish Government priority countries in the region.

This donation is part of the plan for universal access to solidarity vaccination approved by the Spanish government by which at least 50 million vaccines will be mobilized through the COVAX mechanism. Of this volume, at least 20 million are intended for countries in sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa, reflecting the Spanish government's commitment to the African continent, but also its involvement in the fight against Covid-19.

"Spain considers that vaccination is a global public good and therefore advocates equitable access to the vaccine through the multilateral COVAX mechanism. This initiative has enabled Spain to place itself among the top five countries in terms of vaccine donations volume through the COVAX scheme. Senegal is a priority country and a strategic partner for the Spanish government. Our support today reflects Spain's international solidarity with its partners and the strong belief that the vaccine is a global public good" declared the Spanish Ambassador to Senegal, Ms. Olga Cabarga.

The donation from the Government of Spain bolsters the availability of vaccines in the country as calls for the vaccination campaign continue. As of January 17, 2022, Senegal has nearly 1 million people fully vaccinated, and 1.4 million who have received at least one dose of vaccine against Covid-19.

"UNICEF thanks the Kingdom of Spain for this donation and welcomes its commitment alongside the Senegalese government through the COVAX mechanism. We advocate for the intensification of vaccination efforts and campaigns in order to increase the population's demand for vaccination and thus extend vaccination coverage," said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Senegal.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Senegal has had 84,999 people infected with COVID, including 80,308 cured and 2,744 under treatment (as of January 30, 2022).

For more information, please contact:  

Moussa Diop, Communication Specialist, +221 77 644 33 22, [email protected]

Paloma Portela, Embassy of Spain in Senegal, [email protected]