Rwandan Gov't plans to offer free COVID-19 vaccination to all citizens

The Rwandan government has announced plans to offer free COVID-19 vaccination to citizens when the country receives the vaccine next year.

Health Minister Daniel Ngamije made the announcement during an interview with public broadcaster Rwanda Television on  Friday, December 11.

"We will start with health personnel because they are part of people at high risk of being infected, people with comorbidity as well as elderly 65 years and above. These are the groups that are priority for getting the vaccine at zero cost," Ngamije said.

The health ministry is working to ensure it is ready to receive the vaccine when it is rolled out and the first batch of the vaccine could be received around March 2021, said Ngamije.

While forecasting a good acceptance of the vaccination among citizens, the minister said the government is mobilizing resources that will facilitate vaccination coverage to gradually increase from 20 percent to 60 percent.