EGPAF Is Crucial Partner in Vaccinating Lesotho Against COVID-19

As COVID-19 vaccinations ramp up in the United States and Europe, epidemiologists remain concerned that vaccinations in low-income countries will lag—prolonging the global pandemic and increasing the number of people who fall seriously ill or die from this novel coronavirus. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima estimates that only one in 10 people around the world will be vaccinated in 2021. She calls this inequity a “vaccine apartheid.”

During 2020 and 2021, public health policymakers and implementers of HIV services have struggled to maintain progress in the fight to end AIDS. Addressing COVID-19 has become crucial to addressing the ongoing HIV pandemic. The multifaceted threats of the coronavirus pandemic—such as poor access to health services and economic instability—were already familiar to many people living with or at risk of HIV. The COVID-19 pandemic only deepened existing inequities and vulnerabilities.

As key clinical partner of  the Lesotho Ministry of Health, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) has received additional funding from USAID and the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to enable EGPAF to integrate COVID 19 vaccination roll-out into routinely provided HIV and TB services.

EGPAF’s mandate includes administration of COVID-19 vaccinations to factory workers, students and teachers at tertiary institutions as well as at  immigration centers and ports of entry—where EGPAF delivers services through mobile clinics.

“The COVID 19 pandemic has posed significant threats to ongoing efforts toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets¹ and progress towards HIV epidemic control,” says Esther Tumbare, M.D., EGPAF-Lesotho’s director of technical services. “The availability and roll out of COVID-19 vaccination brings hope that many of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic will be lifted or at least eased—such that HIV prevention, care, and treatment efforts can continue.”

Phase One of the national vaccination campaign covers health care workers, village health workers, immigration officers, people over the age of 60, and people with underlying conditions. During Phase One, EGPAF is also participating in the vaccination of people living with HIV who have tested positive for TB, have a high viral load, or have advanced HIV disease.

The availability and roll out of COVID-19 vaccination brings hope that many of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic will be lifted or at least eased—such that HIV prevention, care, and treatment efforts can continue. Esther Tumbare, M.D

Phase Two will cover all people living with HIV and/or TB—along with factory workers, miners, members of the armed forces, police, correctional officers and prisoners, and teachers and students who are older than 16.

As one of the implementing partners, EGPAF’s staff were vaccinated in March. This followed the national vaccination campaign launch at Scott Hospital in Maseru, the nation’s capital, with His Majesty the King David Mohato Bereng Seeiso leading the country with the first jab on March 10, along with his family and other senior government officials.

Nurse Sebolelo Ntsie at Scott Hospital says that she is relieved to see the first phase of vaccination. She says that during the second COVID-19 wave in January and February, Lesotho hospitals experienced overcrowding—with many sick people returned home due to unavailability of beds. She calls on the public to continue wearing masks, sanitizing, and washing hands even after vaccination.

“The Lesotho National Deployment and Vaccination plan clearly articulates the prioritization criteria adopted through the National New Vaccine Governance Structures,” explains EGPAF-Lesotho Country Director Ts’epang Mohlomi. The criteria included the COVID-19 epidemiology of the country, national public health objectives, and vaccine availability. Moreover, the prioritization considerations included target groups most affected and with increased or additional risk factors.”

EGPAF is a key clinical partner for the Lesotho Ministry of Health and supports comprehensive TB and HIV services providing direct services at antiretroviral clinics. 

¹95% of people living with HIV knowing their HIV status; 95% of people who know their status on treatment; and 95% of people on treatment with suppressed viral loads.