PEPFAR clinics facilitate COVID-19 vaccination in Zambia

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Summary

  • Zambia worked with CDC and partners to expand COVID-19 vaccination in 2021. The plan 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 (PLHIV).
  • The COVID-19 vaccination campaign began in April 2021. During August 2021, with CDC support, health workers at HIV clinics administered vaccines at six high-volume sites in Lusaka, the national capital, to more than 8,000 people living with HIV and their families.
  • The plan worked so well, that the Ministry of Health (MoH) expanded it to more than 1,000 sites in all 10 of Zambia’s provinces as vaccines were available. By October 2022, more than 850,000 people with HIV were fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Photo of patient receiving COVID-19 vaccine at a U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-supported clinic.

In 2021, CDC, Zambia, and local partners collaborated to expand COVID-19 vaccination to adults living with HIV. Photo: Santos Sanchez/CDC

Photo of Sylvia Masebo, Zambia Minister of Health.

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

Photo of a patient receiving a COVID-19 vaccination consultation with a medical professional.

A new model for an adult vaccination program started at clinics supported by the U. S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (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

Photo of a person receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Zambia Ministry of Health 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

Photo of a heath care worker talking with a patient at a PEPFAR-supported clinic.

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

Photo showing a group of health care professionals (12 people) inside a clinic.

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

Photo of Circle of Hope 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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