Tanzania President Launches COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA - Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan got vaccinated against the coronavirus Wednesday to kick off the country's first vaccination campaign. It’s a sharp turnaround from her predecessor, the late John Magufuli, who claimed vaccines were dangerous and that prayer had saved Tanzanians from the pandemic.

In a televised event held at the statehouse Wednesday, Tanzania’s President Samia Hassan launched the country’s vaccination campaign against COVID-19 by receiving her first shot of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. The prime minister, chief justice and other top officials also got their shots. The event marks a break with late president John Magufuli, who dismissed vaccines and said God had protected Tanzania from the coronavirus.