It must be noted that the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa have made WHO to be more concerned as they see most African countries as poor countries struggling with finances and they believe that if deployed on time it might reopen the continent’s economy and give room for more activities to play.
According to the WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti who openly said the organisation are very concerned about African countries who is considered as low income countries.
Moeti further stated that the continent had stepped up procurement of vaccines to inoculate groups at higher risk of contracting the coronavirus and these will also reduce the spread of the virus.
Quoting the Director in his own word saying that “The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines is an incredible, much-awaited leap forward for African countries that have spent months preparing while wealthy countries race ahead with vaccination,”.
Although it was noted that Ghana on Wednesday become became the first African country to receive 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine procured through the COVAX facility.
He also states that countries like Cote d’Ivoire would receive its vaccine allocation Friday, while 24 African countries were expected to receive their doses procured under COVAX in a fortnight.
He also went further to state that “COVAX is a global expression of equity and it cannot be stressed enough to end the pandemic, all countries must move forward with vaccination together as a family
Well as states by WHO director saying that “No country is safe until all countries are safe,” which means when all countries are protected from the virus.
Although She said the majority of African countries were participating in COVAX facilities and had put robust systems in place to facilitate mass inoculation against the virus.
With all on bound ,the COVID-19 vaccines will help save lives and boost economic recovery in all the countries and there is need for more investments in vaccine equity, including sharing of surplus by wealthy nations to countries finding it difficult to buy.
Based on Moeti’s information which states that about 600 million doses procured under the COVAX facility will be delivered in Africa in 2021 and these will help inoculate vulnerable groups like frontline health care workers, the elderly and the terminally ill.
