Uganda yesterday received trial vaccines against the Ebola Sudan strain.
The 1,200 doses were handed over to the government at the National Medical Stores for trial on high “risk persons” or those who are “most exposed to the risk of infection.”
The trial will be spearheaded by Makerere University Lung Institute headed by Dr Bruce Kirenga.
The vaccines were handed over to the Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng by Dr Charles Njuguna on behalf of the World Health Organization.
Dr. Njuguna who called for more consciousness against the virus especially during the Xmas festivities, said the experimentation of the vaccine would in no way interfere with Uganda’s effort against the Ebola outbreak.
He clarified that currently “there’s no WHO-approved vaccine” against the Sudan strain and the donation was “only for trial purposes.
Dr. Njuguna speaking…….
Dr. Aceng said that more donations of the Merc and Oxford University-produced brands would be coming into the country within two weeks. Dr. Aceng speaking………
With Mubende and Kassanda districts still under lockdown, Dr. Aceng said it was now nine days since the last Ebola case was confirmed. END