Kigali, 22 August 2021 - Rwanda will on Monday, 23 August begin a third phase of mass vaccinations targeting people over 18 years old in Kigali.

This new vaccination drive launches as Rwanda passes a milestone of one million vaccinated against COVID-19, and will see Kigali reach over 90% vaccination coverage for 18 years and above in the next two weeks.

In addition to 37 sites in local government offices across the three Kigali districts of Gasabo, Kicukiro and Nyarugenge, mobile teams will go door to door to administer doses to people with mobility challenges including the elderly, people with disabilities as well as pregnant women and nursing mothers.

People who received a first dose earlier this month will also return to their respective facilities across Kigali for their second dose.

Kigali, which generates close to 50% of Rwanda's national GDP, has been hit particularly hard and went into lockdown three times since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.

Rwanda plans to vaccinate 30 per cent of the population by the end of 2021 and continues efforts to acquire sufficient doses, through direct purchases and other arrangements, to ensure as many Rwandans as possible are protected from COVID-19.

The Government of Rwanda thanks Rwandans for their continued support and participation in the fight against COVID-19, as well as partner states and institutions that have contributed vaccines and other material to assist in the management of the pandemic in Rwanda.

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