BBC News reported on Wednesday that Madagascar has commenced its COVID-19 vaccination programme, after receiving British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Inc's (LON:AZN) COVID-19 vaccines last week.

Reportedly, the first phase of the country's vaccination campaign will focus on health workers then the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions will follow.

Also, Madagascar has recently registered for the global vaccination initiative COVAX.

According to the BBC, Madagascar had initially touted a herbal tonic, Covid Organics, as a cure for COVID-19 despite the World Health Organisation's warning against using untested remedies.

Data from John Hopkins University indicated that Madagascar has recorded 39,351 confirmed COVID-19 cases including 732 deaths.