Advertisement
Supported by
Guest Essay
Dr. Lamorde is an expert on the management of infectious diseases in developing countries. He is the head of the global health security program at the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.
Early in the pandemic, Uganda bought itself precious time at great economic cost to protect its people from Covid-19.
There were lockdowns, international travel was restricted, and border screenings were introduced to prevent entry of the coronavirus. Cases of Covid-19 identified at borders or in communities were isolated, and people who had been in contact with those infected were quarantined and checked on by public health authorities.
These measures were meant to minimize the impact of the pandemic until drugs and vaccines could be found and distributed. However, as of July 6, only about 2 percent of Ugandans are vaccinated. There were more deaths reported in the month of June than total deaths reported since the start of the pandemic. This was not the outcome that we had hoped for.
People are understandably frustrated and afraid. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a bargain on the table: Lockdowns and other health measures can cripple society in painful ways, but that pain is temporary and in service of the larger goal of defeating Covid-19. People endure the lockdowns because help is on the way. But what happens when a society does everything right, buys time and flattens the curve, and then help doesn’t arrive, or it’s insufficient? That’s what’s happening in Uganda.
As some countries reopen, Uganda is under lockdown until the end of July. Schools are closed, public gatherings at churches and mosques are on pause, and public transportation is mostly shut down. Nonessential stores and businesses, offices and movie theaters are also closed.
Uganda is in a precarious situation, but it’s not because the country hasn’t acted aggressively. Four years ago, the global health security program at the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University in Kampala was created. We’ve worked closely with the government and partners such as the United States’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent, detect and respond to diseases that cause outbreaks like Ebola, Marburg and pandemic influenza.
When the new coronavirus emerged, our teams immediately embedded within the Ministry of Health and helped develop border screenings, laboratory testing capacity, community surveillance and infection control in health clinics and hospitals. Despite limited resources, Uganda was running a highly successful Covid-19 response, reporting fewer cases and deaths than other countries of similar population size.
But once variants of the coronavirus were detected in Uganda, it was clear that the country needed to prepare for the worst. The Delta variant, which is more transmissible, is now circulating here. There is a huge surge in Covid-19 cases, with hospital treatment units going from nearly empty to full within days. Alarmingly, there are now more patients with severe illness in this wave, including patients requiring oxygen support. The national stadium that was originally repurposed as an isolation unit for patients with mild or no symptoms is now admitting people needing oxygen when no beds were available at the hospitals around Kampala.
Thankfully, all vaccines for Covid-19 approved by the World Health Organization are safe and effective for preventing death and serious illness. We can now confidently say that Covid-19 is a preventable disease. Sadly, unless immediate action is taken by wealthier countries with vaccine stockpiles, vaccine shortages in the face of surging cases and deaths will be an enduring legacy of the Covid-19 outbreak in Uganda and the rest of Africa.
In March 2021, Uganda began a vaccination program that aimed to eventually reach 50 percent of the population despite limited vaccines. The country, which has a population of around 44 million, received just 864,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through Covax, the World Health Organization’s initiative to pool vaccine resources, and 100,000 from India. To ensure the vaccines would reach those at highest risk for death, health workers, people age 50 and older, patients with underlying conditions, teachers and security personnel like the police and military were prioritized. While the first batch of vaccines was being administered, Covid-19 cases started to rise. Doses from the first batch were quickly exhausted because of increasing demand, and the vaccination plan was interrupted. Vaccination restarted in late June with only 175,200 doses available from Covax via France, primarily reserved for people due for their second dose.
Despite the effort to get high-risk people vaccinated, Uganda lost many doctors and other health workers, school staff members and security personnel within days in June. Stories of fear and loss are widespread across the country, and people are sharing on social media pictures of family, friends and loved ones who have passed away.
Other countries in Africa, including Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, are facing a similar crisis. What is most alarming to me is that even countries such as Nigeria, which had reported a decline in cases in the past few months, could transition to a crisis within a matter of weeks if more transmissible variants spread. Ideally, all African countries could perform genomic sequencing to identify and track more transmissible variants that may signal a worsening trajectory of the outbreak across the continent. But that’s not possible yet.
Vaccination remains the key measure to end this pandemic. But to rapidly scale up vaccination in African countries, we will need access to low-cost vaccines. Supply chains for vaccine production must be secured for manufacturers worldwide. Developing countries that have capacity to produce vaccines need licenses or waivers to use the intellectual property of drug companies to produce more vaccines at lower cost. Negotiations for waivers are progressing slowly at the World Trade Organization.
The most valuable resource we have right now is not money, but time. And we are losing it.
Covax brought initial doses of vaccines to Uganda and many other countries. But this initiative has been weakened by insufficient investment from other countries and the fact that India is no longer exporting its vaccines in order to meet the country’s own needs.
Countries with an abundant stock of vaccines have begun to donate some of their stock, and this is welcome. But the emergence of the term “vaccine diplomacy” is concerning. While humanitarian on its surface, it represents a political rather than science-based effort. Countries with weak bilateral relationships to negotiate for vaccines may be left behind, creating geographic zones of unfettered viral spread and allowing even more dangerous variants to emerge. Individual developing countries facing a crisis may be unable to resist the allure of bilateral vaccine deals, but what is needed right now is a global resolve to end this pandemic equitably.
We have the tools and resources to change the natural course of this outbreak. The world must continue to build global vaccine stockpiles that can be deployed fairly so that priority groups like health workers in every country get them first. Whenever variants emerge, vaccination must be scaled up in affected countries along with other public health measures. Vaccination hesitancy should also be addressed worldwide to combat myths. However, addressing hesitancy can feel pointless if there are no vaccines.
Uganda has fought and overcome numerous infectious disease outbreaks in the past. This challenge is daunting, but I am optimistic that with support, Covid-19 will not be an exception.
Mohammed Lamorde is an expert on the management of infectious diseases in developing countries. He is the head of the global health security program at the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.
The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And here’s our email: letters@nytimes.com.
Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram.
Advertisement
tadalafil cost in canada side effects for tadalafil
side effects of tadalafil generic tadalafil from uk
tadalafil order online no prescription generic cialis online fast shipping
where to buy tadalafil on line prescription tadalafil online
prescription tadalafil online tadalafil without a doctor prescription
tadalafil goodrx https://cialisbusd.com/
cialis without prescription cialis without prescription
tadalafil blood pressure tadalafil brands
tadalafil price walmart where to get tadalafil
generic tadalafil from uk tadalafil
cheap cialis pills for sale where to order tadalafil tablets
tadalafil side effects side effects for tadalafil
cialis tadalafil generic tadalafil from uk
tadalafil blood pressure buy cialis pills
where to buy tadalafil on line tadalafil online with out prescription
tadalafil online with out prescription generic cialis online fast shipping
generic cialis tadalafil canada generic tadalafil
tadalafil price walmart buy cialis pills
tadalafil liquid buy generic cialis online with mastercard
prescription tadalafil online https://cialisicp.com/
tadalafil generic cheap cialis pills for sale
tadalafil cost walmart canada generic tadalafil
tadalafil daily online tadalafil side effects
side effects of tadalafil tadalafil brands
cialis without prescription generic tadalafil from uk
tadalafil cialis where to buy tadalafil on line
buy generic cialis 5mg
tadalafil goodrx tadalafil cost in canada
tadalafil price walmart where to buy cialis without prescription
viagra
cialis 2.5 mg daily use
tadalafil soft 20
prescription tadalafil online cialis tadalafil
https://cialisusdc.com/ cost of cialis
best price viagra uk
cipla cialis
desyrel drug
lipitor 10mg india
cialis without a prescription lowest price cialis
ivermectin malaria
cost tadalafil generic tadalafil price walmart
hydroxychloroquine buy
buy phenergan nz
tadalafil cialis cheap cialis pills for sale
buy generic cialis online with mastercard buy tadalafil
viagra pills online in india
where to buy cialis without prescription tadalafil brands
paroxetine prices uk
trazodone 150 mg coupon
generic sildenafil citrate
generic tadalafil for sale
ivermectin 400 mg brands
buy flomax uk
voguel sildenafil sildenafil uso
canada generic tadalafil tadalafil without a doctor prescription
cheapest viagra prices viagra pills
buy ivermectin canada
how to take sildenafil 20 mg sildenafil citrate tablets i.p
ivermectin cost canada ivermectin australia
generic tadalafil from uk generic cialis tadalafil
best generic tadalafil generic cialis tadalafil 40 mg
phenergan canada order
how to buy viagra safely online
tadalafil order online prasco tadalafil
prescription tadalafil online cheap cialis pills for sale
cost of viagra 100
price of cialis per pill
ivermectin topical stromectol liquid
ivermectin for humans
generic cialis 200mg pills
generic ivermectin
lisinopril online purchase
cafergot online pharmacy
cheap misoprostol
propranolol generic
ivermectin 6mg tablet for lice stromectol liquid
rx tadalafil tablets
where can i get viagra prescription
buy viagra pharmacy uk
cialis 40mg generic
viagra online canada
best viagra pills india
can i buy viagra over the counter usa
cialis discount
stromectol price in india ivermectin medicine
where to purchase tadalafil online
viagra 50
sildenafil 25 mg price
cialis daily prescription
drug allopurinol 300 mg
ivermectin over the counter canada
10 mg singulair
amoxicillin 500mg capsules from mexico
stromectol usa
ventolin drug
buy stromectol uk ivermectin 200 mcg
stromectol order
acticin over the counter
allopurinol tablets nz
amoxicillin where to buy online
generic nexium best price
order propecia online
2.5 mg cialis daily
tadalafil generic cost
can you buy cialis over the counter usa
best online generic tadalafil
ivermectin 3mg dosage ivermectin 50ml
antabuse price australia
cost of stromectol
ivermectin 80 mg
tadalafil generic where can i buy cialis on line
buy stromectol canada stromectol price usa
ivermectin for sale ivermectin 8000
stromectol 3 mg tablet
cytotec over the counter
sildenafil 100mg purchase
gabapentin 200 mg tablets
where can i buy cheap viagra in australia
cialis india purchase
sildenafil 50 mg price in india
cialis 10 mg
brand cialis online pharmacy
indian cialis tadalafil tadalafil treatment for painful erection
cialis pills buy tadalafil
purchase viagra in india
where can you buy cheap viagra
generic cialis online canada
buy stromectol uk
inderal 5 mg tablet
sildenafil dosages best way to take sildenafil
viagra stories viagra doses
buy brand name cialis
sumycin 250 mg
buy viagra pills online sildenafil online
how to get yasmin pill
flomax brand name
where can i get zofran
how to order yasmin without prescription
pharmacy online shopping canadian pharmacies that are legit
kupi online cialis buy cialis in cro
clomid prescription coupon
buy diflucan online no prescription
trazodone canada pharmacy
levitra dosage instructions levitra without a doctor prescription
azithromycin 500 mg tablet online
best modafinil
modafinil mexico online
trazodone 150 price
provigil over the counter
rx pharmacy com pharmacy online mexico
zoloft 50 mg daily
stromectol xr
sildenafil 5 mg price best price viagra
hot canadian pharmacy buy viagra from canadian pharmacy
average price of cialis
buy generic tadalafil online
stromectol 3 mg dosage
ivermectin gel
zoloft 100 mg prices
trazodone 300 mg cost
diflucan buy without prescription
buy cialis online overnight shipping cialis sales canadian
propecia cheapest no prescription
ivermectin sensitivity in dogs ivermectin study
tadalafil singapore
prednisone 5mg capsules
viagra fast delivery usa
buy propecia no prescription
order cialis online usa
diflucan 50mg
cheapest propecia prices
diflucan tablet cost
can you buy viagra online
lasix canada no prescription
does oral ivermectin kill demodex mites ivermectin for tapeworms
tadalafil generic canada 20 mg
viagra where to buy canada
baclofen buy
buy baclofen no rx
tadalafil 5mg price in india
stromectol for sale
erythromycin tablet price
generic furosemide 40 mg
cost for cialis for daily use
soft levitra
female viagra buy australia sildenafil in canada
viagra vs cialis vs levitra cost levitra vs cialis
baclofen tablet cost
stromectol nz
sildenafil online buy india
generic lyrica usa
levitra free offer levitra homepage
prednisolone 5mg price
glucophage 500mg tablet price
prednisolone 5 mg tablet
where can i buy lasix online
baclofen 2 cream
drugstore cowboy canada drugs laws
azithromycin drug
can i buy elimite over the counter
viagra cheapest prices
viagra vs cialis reddit drug categories viagra cialis
lyrica 75mg
discount generic cialis cialis paypal
cheap cialis with prescription
buy avodart singapore
lyrica cheap price
vermox plus
pharmacy viagra price
i need viagra
lisinopril 200mg
dexamethasone 1
sildenafil generic usa
viagra brand name
propranolol 80
most reputable canadian pharmacy Aristocort
cheapest brand viagra online
stromectol usa
20 mg cialis daily
propecia price compare
avodart price south africa
vermox over the counter canada
good canadian pharmacies online pharmacy in india
india cialis pharmacy
where can i buy real cialis online
buy cialis 100mg
bactrim discount coupon
synthroid 0.175
sildenafil online purchase
indian online pharmacy can i be denied employment due to prescription drugs
cheapest generic cialis online
buy ivermectin pills
20 mg cialis for daily use
generic cialis 5mg
opti rx pharmacy vicodin canadian pharmacy
propranolol otc usa
how to order sildenafil
budesonide 9 mg tablets in india
triamterene 37.5mg hctz 25mg tabs
cost of stromectol
antabuse cost
tadalafil for sale cheap
vermox drug
cost of cialis in canada
zofran without prescription
cheap ventolin
best place to purchase cialis
stromectol
dexamethasone capsule
cialis cheapest online prices
how much is amoxicillin prescription
stromectol covid 19
stromectol 3 mg tablet
buy generic cialis
vermox price
tadalafil 30 tablet 5 mg
buy propecia 5mg
phenergan 25 mg
cialis pill 5mg
5mg tadalafil daily
cost of cialis 20mg in canada
best viagra for women
ivermectin topical
fluoxetine 4356
buy accutane 20mg
sildenafil fast delivery
albuterol pills
can i buy accutane over the counter
propranolol discount
stromectol for sale
buy sildenafil australia
online levitra sales
sildenafil online pharmacy
viagra china
450 mg synthroid
prazosin 5 mg price
sildenafil nz buy
buy liquid ivermectin
buy cialis 20mg
buy generic viagra from europe
pink viagra
viagra online canadian pharmacy
60 mg tadalafil
mebendazole tablets
where to buy ivermectin cream
tadalafil soft gel capsule 20mg
plavix cost canada
generic viagra from canada
buy zanaflex online with no prescription
buy lasix 100mg
viagra 100mg tablet online in india
gabapentin 400 mg coupon
metformin 134
buy xenical
flagyl 500
viagra 100 mg tablet buy online
buy trazodone online canada
prozac 20mg capsule price
robaxin tablets 750 mg
tizanidine 6 mg cap
motrin price compare
prednisolone
prednisolone without prescription
robaxin price india
synthroid 1 mg
medrol 16 mg price
Zebeta safe online pharmacy canada
clonidine 05 mg
best propecia prices
medrol tablets
budesonide 32 mcg
cialis for women online
buying cialis
cialis lowest price
cialis
how to buy viagra online in india
generic cialis online europe
buy viagra online us pharmacy
sildenafil tablets uk
cialis pill price in india
100 mg tadalafil
canadian pharmacy tadalafil online
tadalafil 2.5 mg tablets in india
cheap sildenafil online
generic sildenafil from canada
viagra 500mg
tadalafil 20mg lowest price
how much does cialis cost
cheapest tadalafil prices
cialis canadian pharmacy online
generic tadalafil 20mg for sale
cialis 60 mg price
cialis for daily use cost
order provigil for sale modafinil buy online
where to buy viagra in canada online
how to buy generic viagra online
buy modafinil 100mg pills modafinil online brand provigil
canadian price for cialis
genuine cialis australia
order sildenafil 100mg
order brand viagra online
how to buy cialis in uk
cvs pharmacy store hours on sunday reputable indian online pharmacy
cialis erection
cost of viagra pills in india
where can i buy generic viagra in usa
buy generic cialis online 40mg
5mg tadalafil daily
average cost of 10mg cialis
online pharmacy price checker
canadian pharmacy service
azithromycin 1g for sale
legal canadian pharmacy online
tretinoin 1 gel india
trazodone 50mg prescription cost
furosemide 20 mg tabs
generic propecia 5mg
cheapest pharmacy to get prescriptions filled
reputable canadian online pharmacies
wellbutrin adhd
tetracyline
online pharmacy dubai
where can you get azithromycin over the counter
where to buy chloroquine
fluoxetine cap 20mg
finasteride 5mg tablets
buy generic azithromycin
average cost of synthroid 100mcg
augmentin tablets 1g
azithromycin 250
how much is plavix in canada
buy trazodone 50 mg
finasteride tablets
[url=https://cymbalta.store/]cymbalta 120 mg[/url]
propecia 10 years
how much is paxil
tretinoin cream buy online uk
cheapest propecia for sale
modafinil online modafinil 100mg brand
zoloft 100mg cost
can i order paxil online
stromectol cost
buy provigil 200mg for sale
buy erythromycin online erythromycin topical gel
ventolin hfa
where to purchase antabuse
buy generic provigil buy provigil 200mg
buy provigil sale
ivermectin human
ivermectin 2
atarax for sleep
order modafinil 100mg pills
provigil 200mg cost
retino 0.25
paxil tablets 20 mg
cheap stromectol
modafinil tablet
buy stromectol uk
canadian prescription pharmacy pharmacy escrow canada
paxil 20 mg mexico
provigil prescription online
purchase provigil pill provigil 200mg brand
prednisone 20 mg tablets coupon
buy paroxetine india
modafinil 200mg cost
clomid
lisinopril 30 mg daily
propecia india
prednisone 10mg canada
albuterol tablets for sale uk
order propecia usa
lyrica 200 mg cost
modafinil 200mg drug provigil 200mg over the counter
buy antabuse without prescripition
acyclovir cost usa
price of zestril 30 mg
generic viagra australia online
where can you buy amoxicillin online
cost of lisinopril 40 mg
synthroid 0.112 mcg
zoloft 125
trazodone 5599
price of 100mg viagra
zoloft prescription price
stromectol for humans
your pharmacy online
ivermectin 0.5 lotion
clomid online paypal
ivermectin 8000
buy acyclovir with no prescription
buy predislone tablets
ivermectin generic cream
cipro cost in mexico
trazodone price canada
cialis 20mg price
order sildenafil 100mg
when Does Cialis Peak?
buy cephalexin online without prescription
chewable viagra soft tabs
viagra soft gel
erythromycin eye drops
zoloft 12.5 mg
furosemide cream
Howdy, a helpful article for sure. Thank you.
Great write-up, I am a big believer in placing comments on sites to inform the blog writers know that they’ve added something advantageous to the world wide web!
Pretty impressive article. I just stumbled upon your site and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your opinions. Any way I’ll be coming back and I hope you post again soon.