- To reach Africa’s goal of vaccinating 60 percent of the population by June 2022, the continent needs better access to COVID-19 vaccines cautioned the World Health Organization.
- The continent received only limited doses and much later than other regions of the world.
To reach Africa’s goal of vaccinating 60 percent of the population by June 2022, the continent needs better access to COVID-19 vaccines cautioned the World Health Organization. Africa requires 1.5 billion vaccine doses to protect 60 percent of the continent’s 1.2 billion population by June 2022 according to WHO estimates.
The continent received only limited doses and much later than other regions of the world. The first batch of COVAX vaccine was delivered and the vaccination campaigns started a month ago with nearly 7.7 million doses administered. Richard Mihigo , an immunization and vaccine development program coordinator at the WHO regional office for Africa reported that 32 African countries currently are vaccinating high-risk groups against COVID-19. It is time to widen the scope of COVID-19 vaccination beyond the high-risk groups that have been prioritized by many countries. Mihigo lamented that some high-income countries have vaccinated their entire populations, while ignoring the needs of poorer nations.
Mihigo pointed out that at least 15 African countries have reported the presence of new variant strains that should be monitored and prevented with the public health measures, such as masks and social distancing. He added that raising the vaccination capacity, is the only solution to contain the virus and avoid its mutation.
WHO he said is exploring ways of boosting the vaccine supply through the COVAX facility. He felt that collaboration with rich countries to share surplus doses with Africa and promoting technology transfer and reducing intellectual property barriers, to produce vaccines locally could bridge the gap.
