The US donated on Friday 336,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson's covid-19 vaccine to Mozambique, the US embassy in Maputo announced.

It is the second batch delivered by the US administration after 302,400 vaccines of the same brand delivered in July and joining several international donations.

The U.S. is "the largest bilateral donor of vaccines to Mozambique" and "is pleased to be part of this global effort," Ambassador Dennis Hearne emphasized.

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine provides immunity "in a single dose" and has a simpler and cheaper storage, says the diplomatic representation in a statement, highlighting the advantages at a time when Mozambique wants to accelerate vaccination.

The President of the Republic, Filipe Nyusi, announced on Thursday that 1.7 million people have already been vaccinated, or 10% of the population that the Government intends to cover by the end of 2022.

The head of state said that despite the difficulties in making vaccines available, "efforts continue and are aimed at the vaccination, from October to December, of citizens aged 30 and over throughout the country, in an estimated population of seven million.

The country reached the peak of the third wave in July and since then has seen a consistent reduction in all epidemiological indicators.

The U.S. presents itself as a partner that "has provided timely and ongoing support" to Mozambique in the face of covid-19, including assistance valued at $62.5 million.  

"This assistance includes 50 ventilators donated to the Mozambican Ministry of Health in 2020, personal protective equipment for health professionals, laboratory and oxygen equipment, training, and funding for increased medical staff, among other initiatives," he concludes.

Lusa Agency