MOGADISHU (SD) – The US has today delivered an additional 336,500 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to Somalia bolstering the war against the global pandemic.

The doses arrived Sunday morning at the Aden Adde Airport in Mogadishu through the COVAX facility which is a combined effort between the WHO and several countries to ensure delivery of the vaccines to developing countries.

“The embassy is pleased to announce the delivery of an additional 336,500 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, which the United States is sharing with Somalia through the COVAX facility,” US embassy said in a statement. “We are sharing these doses safely, equitably, and with no strings attached. We are doing this with the singular objective of saving lives.” 

To date, the United States has delivered more than 220 million doses of vaccine to more than 100 countries.

The commitment to provide COVID-19 vaccines to 92 Gavi Advance Market Commitment economies and African Union member states will continue to fulfill U.S. President Biden’s commitment to strengthen the fight against the global pandemic. 

The embassy said United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home. We are sharing these vaccines to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic. 

‘We look forward to continued coordination with the African Union and Africa’s CDC to deliver these doses across the continent through the COVAX initiative via its established logistical channels’ the statement reads in part.