Malawi Adds More COVID-19 Vaccines in Attempt to Stem Surge

BLANTYRE, MALAWI - The Malawi government has announced it will start inoculating its citizens with several COVID-19 vaccines in an effort to protect more of its population amid growing coronavirus infections. Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda says the extra vaccine is necessary to fill a gap.

Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda says the COVID-19 vaccines Malawi has added include Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Sputnik, Sinovac and Sinopharm.   Kandodo, who also is the co-chairperson of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, says the country is expected to receive a donation of 300,000 doses each of the Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines in early August. "We have done this because we don’t want to put all our eggs in one basket, as has been the case," said Kandodo. "That’s why we have opened up to include other vaccines, which can fill the gaps that would be created.” She assured Malawians that the government has independently verified the safety and efficacy of the newly recommended vaccines.