The vaccination situation in Uganda faces a significant challenge. More than 5.6 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, purchased with a World Bank loan, have expired, according to an audit report. This loss is worth an estimated 28.1 billion Ugandan shillings (approximately $7.3 million).
Unfortunately, these vaccines which have reached their expiration date will need to be removed from healthcare facilities and destroyed. This situation is all the more worrying as the authorities anticipate total losses linked to expired vaccines which could exceed $78 million by the end of the year.
Several factors explain these significant losses. First, there is a decrease in demand for Covid-19 vaccines. This phenomenon is partly explained by the intensive vaccination campaigns carried out so far, but also by a certain reluctance of the population to be vaccinated. This situation is worrying because vaccination is one of the most effective ways to combat the spread of the virus and return to normal life.
Moreover, the audit report also revealed that medicines, including antiretrovirals (ARVs) for the treatment of HIV, worth $8.6 million, were also expired. These losses are mainly due to changes in treatment guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO). ARVs are essential to supporting people living with HIV and their expiration hinders access to these life-saving treatments.
This situation highlights the need for Ugandan authorities to put in place effective stock management mechanisms for medicines and vaccines to avoid such losses in the future. It is essential to ensure that medicines and vaccines are used before their expiry date and to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination and medical treatment.
In conclusion, the losses of doses of Covid-19 vaccines and antiretrovirals in Uganda highlight the importance of rigorous stock management and increased awareness on the importance of vaccination and medical treatments. It is urgent to find solutions to avoid such waste and guarantee access to essential medicines for the population.