Uganda is facing a significant setback in its fight against COVID-19 as an audit report reveals that over 5.6 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, valued at $7.3 million, have expired. The vaccines, purchased through a World Bank loan, will be withdrawn from health facilities and systematically destroyed.
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According to the report by Uganda’s Auditor General John Muwanga, the expired vaccines were procured with the intention of bolstering the country’s vaccination efforts. However, changes in World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines for HIV antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) have also led to the expiration of drugs worth $8.6 million.
Moses Kamabare, the head of Uganda’s drug procurement agency, cited declining demand as a contributing factor to the issue, and authorities fear that total losses from expired Covid vaccines may surpass $78 million by the end of the year. This significant loss underscores the challenges faced by countries in managing vaccine distribution and addressing evolving health guidelines during the ongoing global pandemic.
