PEPFAR Expands COVID-19 Vaccines In Zambia

What to know

Zambia worked with CDC and partners to expand COVID-19 vaccination. This expansion used a new model in clinics supported by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to help get COVID-19 vaccines to people living with HIV. With CDC support, the Ministry of Health (MOH) expanded vaccination to more than 1,000 sites in all 10 of Zambia's provinces as vaccines were available.

Health care worker provides vaccination to patient.

Photo essay

Photo of a man receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic.
In 2021, CDC, Zambia, and local partners collaborated to expand COVID-19 vaccination to adults living with HIV. Photo: Santos Sanchez/CDC
image of Zambia Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo
Zambia Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo said, “It was important for people ages 18 years and older to receive information about these COVID-19 vaccines but there was no existing system in place.” Photo: Santos Sanchez/CDC
Three adults speaking
A new model for an adult vaccination program started at clinics supported by PEPFAR to give access to COVID-19 vaccines to people living with HIV (PLHIV). CDC implements PEPFAR programs through funded organizations in many countries. Photo: Santos Sanchez/CDC
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a man giving a woman a vaccination shot
The Zambia MOH and CDC coordinated equitable distribution of vaccines. PLHIV received shots in HIV clinics. These clinics represent familiar and secure settings to access health care. Photo: Santos Sanchez/CDC
image of two health workers talking
The COVID-19 vaccination effort began in April 2021. Four months later, in August 2021, health workers at HIV clinics in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, had administered vaccines to more than 8,000 PLHIV and their families. Photo: Santos Sanchez/CDC
Group of people holding up vaccination plans
The COVID-19 vaccination plan was so successful that the MOH expanded it to more than 1,000 sites in all of Zambia’s provinces as vaccines were available. By October 2022, more than 850,000 PLHIV were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Photo: Santos Sanchez/CDC
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image of Director Gibstar Makangila
PEPFAR-funded partners had an important role in vaccinating people in Zambia against COVID-19. One partner was the faith-based organization Circle of Hope. Director Gibstar Makangila said, “This proves that existing PEPFAR investments for HIV can serve as a platform for COVID-19 vaccination.” Photo: Santos Sanchez/CDC
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