Despite a slow start to its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, Tanzania has made rapid progress in expanding its vaccination coverage in just four months, from 15 percent in June 2022 to 70 percent of the eligible population vaccinated as of September 29. With months to spare, the country has achieved the national goal of 70 percent of the eligible population (age 18 and up) vaccinated by the end of 2022. With over $30 million in funding through the U.S. government’s Initiative for Global Vaccine Access, or GlobalVAX, U.S. government agencies, in partnership with the Government of Tanzania (GoT), propelled efforts to vaccinate Tanzanians against COVID-19.
Government of Tanzania Embraces COVID-19 Response
When Tanzania’s President Hassan assumed the presidency after the sudden death of her predecessor in March 2021, she initiated a significant shift in COVID-19 policy including establishing a COVID-19 expert committee; increasing dialogue and cooperation with the U.S. and other development partners on creating an updated COVID-19 response plan; making the recommendation to join COVAX; and adopting routine COVID-19 preventative measures.The President began wearing a mask in public and encouraged her administration and others to do the same.The country ultimately joined COVAX and received a first tranche of over one million U.S.-donated Johnson & Johnson vaccines in late July 2021.A pivotal moment occurred on July 28,2021 when President Hassan received her COVID-19 vaccination publicly, which was broadcast live on national TV.This public act by the country’s leader signified that the vaccine is safe and effective, and helped build trust in the vaccine among the Tanzanian people.
