By Ahmed Rahma
The Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has disclosed close to 900 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines would be shipped to Africa in 2021.
At an online press briefing, she said the vaccines would be made available by her organisation through the COVAX facility and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).
According to her, 600 million doses of the vaccines would be delivered by WHO, while 270 million doses would be delivered by Africa CDC.
Speaking in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, Dr Moeti said the first doses are expected to arrive by the end of March with large roll out by June, adding that the top priority for Africa was to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccine.
“The COVAX facility, which is coordinated by GAVI, WHO and CEPI, aims to provide around 600 million doses for Africa in 2021.
“We expect the first doses to arrive by the end of March with large roll out by June.
“However, COVAX facility can only cover 20 per cent of Africa population so it is really wonderful to see the Africa Union efforts to secure provisional 270 million doses by the end of 2021 are achieving success.
“Together we will deliver 900 million doses this year and we know still more is needed.
“It is unfortunate that so far, vaccine distribution has been inequitable but this a massive undertaking that will take time,” she said.
Commenting on the new variant of the virus, 501Y.V2, she said the variant was circulating widely in South Africa, accounting for most of the infections during the second wave.
“Mutation of the virus is unsurprising as the more the pandemic spreads the higher the likelihood of changes,” the RD said.
“However, preliminary analysis finds the 501Y.V2 variation to be more transmissible. Genomic sequencing has found the variant present in Botswana, the Gambia and Zambia.
“Deeper investigations are underway to fully understand the epidemiological implications, but at present, there are no indications the new variant increases the severity of the disease.
“Even if the new variant is not more virulent, a virus that can spread more easily will put further strain on hospitals and health workers, who are in many cases already overstretched,” continued Ms Moeti.
According to her, as COVID-19 cumulative cases in Africa top three million and daily case numbers exceed the first wave peak, the continent is now confronted with emerging variants of the virus.
She said revamped public health measures were ever more critical to avert a runaway surge in infections that could stretch health facilities to the breaking point.
“An average of 25,223 cases were reported each day between December 28, 2020, and January 10, 2021, in Africa, which is nearly 39 per cent higher than the July 2020 two-week peak of 18,104 daily average cases.
“Yet numbers may rise further in the coming days in the wake of travelling, gathering and festivities over Christmas and New Year holidays.
“Overall cases in the region have risen steadily since mid-September 2020, with a steeper rise from late November,” she said.
COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO. It aims at accelerating the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.
