Senegal is to receive 140,160 doses of COVID-19 vaccine from the United Kingdom – the country’s fourth batch of doses under the COVAX initiative.

DAKAR, 15  August  2021  – As  Senegal  battles  a  deadly  third  wave  of  the  COVID-19 pandemic, the UK has announced that it will donate 140,160 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine via the COVAX initiative. Delivery of these doses is planned for 15 August 2021 and will help to accelerate vaccine rollout across the country.

The UK donation comes at a critical moment in Senegal’s race to vaccinate its population. Since the end of May 2021, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Senegal has risen by over 70 percent. As of 13 August 2021, the country has recorded a total of 69,576 cases of COVID- 19, with 1,554 deaths.

This will be the fifth delivery of vaccines to the country under the COVAX initiative, bringing the total number of doses received through COVAX to 951 360. COVAX is a global initiative, co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), The Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO) – working in partnership with UNICEF and the  Pan  american  Health  Organization  (PAHO)  –  that  is  supporting  governments  and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both middle-income and lower-income countries.

“We  are  delighted  to  receive  this  fifth  batch  of  COVID-19  vaccines  through  the  COVAX initiative. Efforts made by the authorities and their partners to vaccinate Senegal’s population have been laudable, but acceleration of the vaccine rollout is hindered by the limited supply of doses in the country. We welcome this donation from the UK, which will help to fill the supply gap in Senegal. We will spare no effort to encourage vaccine solidarity and further dose sharing to halt the progression of Senegal’s third wave, contributing to global efforts to end the pandemic,” stated Georges Gonzales, UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Senegal, on behalf of the institutional partners of COVAX.

By 13 August 2021, over 1.08 million people had been vaccinated in Senegal with at least one  dose of  a  vaccine  against  COVID-19  (approximately  6  percent  of  the  country’s population). Despite impressive progress in its vaccination campaign, Senegal’s efforts are hindered by the limited supply of doses in the country. Although this UK donation will help to fill the supply gap, additional doses are urgently needed so that Senegal can reach more of its population to defeat the virus. In line with global targets, Senegal aims to vaccinate at least 20 percent of its population by end of 2021 through COVAX Initiative. The country needs to vaccinate 2 million more people to reach this target. Without further dose-sharing efforts between countries it will be unable to reach this critical milestone.

Senegal  also  needs  additional  support  to  communicate  with  communities  to  create  a 
favourable environment for immunisation, build trust and confidence, and ensure application of barrier measures while vaccine roll-out continues. Strengthening risk communication and community  engagement  plays  a  central  role  in  saving  lives,  containing  the  pandemic, protecting health care systems, and helping restore the economy.

“The British Embassy is delighted to see 140,160 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrive here  in  Senegal.  This  will  support  the  progress  already  made  as  part  of  the  national 
vaccination programme. These vaccines make up part of the 5 million doses of AstraZeneca that the UK has donated to COVAX, to ensure vaccines reach countries that need them most. This in turn forms part of our pledge to contribute 100 million vaccines over the next year. The UK looks forward to continuing to work with Senegal in the fight against Covid-19” stated Theowen Gilmour, Chargé d’Affaires at the British Embassy.

“This donation of vaccines comes at the right time against the background of a resurgence in Covid-19 cases and the spread of new variants, notably the Delta variant. The United Nations System  in  Senegal  expresses  its  gratitude  to  the  government  and  people  of  the  United Kingdom that made this donation, which takes Senegal a further step in the fight against COVID-19. More than ever, we remain united with all partners to support Senegal in defeating COVID-19”  stated  Siaka  Coulibaly,  Resident  Coordinator  of  the  United  Nations  system  in Senegal.

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For more information, please contact:
Emna Kayouli, Partnerships Specialist: +221 77 731 34 80, ekayouli@unicef.org
Moussa Diop, Communication Specialist: +221 77 644 33 22, modiop@unicef.org Fatoumata Diaby, Second 
Secretary: +221 778194154, fatoumata.diaby@fcdo.gov.uk