“Today, we can announce that we have over a million Johnson & Johnson vaccines headed to Gambia, Senegal, Zambia, and Niger,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced at the beginning of her briefing on Monday.
All doses will be delivered by COVAX, which expects to deliver 620 million doses to Africa by the end of 2021, rising to 1 billion doses by the end of the first quarter of 2022. This will contribute to the AU’s goal of 60% coverage.
“As these shipments demonstrate, the United States is fulfilling our promise to be an arsenal of vaccines for the world, and we’re proud to be donating these doses to save lives and help those in need,” Psaki said.
In total, approximately 25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be made available to 49 African countries in the coming weeks. The African Union/Africa CDC, AVAT, AFreximbank, COVAX, and the US Government have collaborated fully in this process. They will continue to support countries’ access to COVID-19 vaccines and readiness for delivery.
“In partnership with the African Union and COVAX, the United States is proud to donate 25 million COVID-19 vaccines to 49 African countries. The Biden Administration is committed to leading the global response to the pandemic by providing safe and effective vaccines to the world. Working together, we can save lives and bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end,” said Gayle Smith, Coordinator for COVID-19 Recovery and Global Health, US Department of State.
“Today is a proud moment for Africa in ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC.
“We appreciate the US Government for their support in helping contribute to the AU target to vaccinate 60% of the population in Africa, especially at this moment when we are witnessing the third wave in a number of African countries,” said Strive Masiyiwa, African Union Special Envoy.
The Government of The Gambia has already sketched a vaccination plan that includes the Johnson & Johnson shots as well as the forthcoming Astrazeneca vaccines from the Covax facility.
| Dates | Vaccine | Region |
| July 17 – Sept 30, 2021 | Sinopharm | WR1 Sukuta Health Center |
| July 26 – Aug 1, 2021 | Johnson and Johnson | WR1 and WR2 – mass immunization in all communities |
| Aug 2-15, 2021 | Johnson and Johnson | WR1 and WR2 – Stadium, Brusubi, Brikama, and Health Facilities including private health centers |
| Aug 2-15, 2021 | AstraZeneca (second dose only) | WR1 and WR2 – Stadium, Brusubi, Brikama, Public Health Facilities, and Private Public Health Facilities |
| Aug 2-8, 2021 | Johnson and Johnson | NBWR, NBER, LRR, CRR, URR – mass immunization in all communities |
| Aug 15 to Sept 30, 2021 | Johnson and Johnson
And AstraZeneca |
NBWR, NBER, LRR, CRR, URR – in Public and private facilities and Astrazeneca mainly for second doses |
Please check the following sites for regular updates: Ministry of Health website, Ministry of Health Facebook page, and the Gambia COVID-19 Outbreak Situational Report