Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania’s archipelago off the coast of East Africa, Zanzibar, is waiting for President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s approval to order Covid-19 vaccines for the isles’ residents.
A special Covid-19 research committee formed on May 17, 2021 following President Samia’s directive, handed over a report to the Head of State and in it advised the government to procure covid-19 vaccines. Apart from recommending the use of vaccines endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), it came up with other 19 recommendations to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus in Tanzania.
Zanzibar’s Minister for Health, Social Welfare, the Elderly, Gender and Children Nassor Mazrui told The Citizen yesterday that once the president approves the vaccine they will order it immediately.
Mazrui said health is not a union matter but on the issue of Covid-19 vaccine they have to work as the united republic since international organizations including WHO recognize Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar as one country, so they cannot procure vaccines in isolation.
SOURCE: THE CITIZEN.