Yemi Alade Urges More Vaccination in Africa

By Adedapo Adesanya

Global Afropop star, Yemi Alade, has encouraged Africans to unite and get vaccinated against COVID-19 following her appointment as the Global Ambassador for It’s Up to Us, a pan African campaign driven by the Africa CDC and Mastercard Foundation.

It’s Up to Us comes at a critical time in Africa’s fight against COVID-19, continent continues to bear the brunt of global vaccine inequity, with cases and deaths rising quickly across the continent.

According to available statistics, less than 12 per cent of the continent has been fully vaccinated against the virus and the AVAT, African Union, and Africa CDC, with the support of partners like the Mastercard Foundation, have made significant strides in securing vaccines.

Ensuring vaccine adoption is the next step towards increasing vaccine coverage on the continent.

Given that nearly 60 per cent of Africans are under the age of 25, targeting young people is key to ensuring Africa reaches its goal of vaccinating 70 per cent of its population by the end of 2022.

Speaking on this, Yemi Aladi said, “I’m delighted to be a part of #ItsUptoUs, a movement that encourages Africans to take up the responsibility in making the world safe again.

“I’m happy to lend my voice to this important issue and moment,” she remarked.

For over a year, the Nigerian pop-star has been vocal about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, the importance of vaccine equality, and the need to dispel myths around COVID-19 and vaccines—particularly in Africa.

Yemi’s involvement aims to remind Africans of the power they have to make a change in their communities, and in the lives of their friends and families, by getting vaccinated.

In addition to the video released today, Yemi Alade is releasing a campaign Unity Anthem on March 9, 2022, that will be accompanied by an #ItsUpToUs dance challenge choreographed by 21-year-old Zambian social media star and choreographer, Mooya Musunga.

Speaking on the effort, Dr John Nkenagsong, Director of the Africa CDC said, “COVID-19 vaccine acceptance is important to achieving herd immunity and safeguarding citizens in Africa and globally against the virus and its variants. That’s why Africa CDC and the Mastercard Foundation are joining efforts in ensuring access to vaccines for Africa.”

On her part, Ms Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation explained – “Vaccines remain critical for saving lives and livelihoods. But, misinformation spreads fast, so we need to be smarter and more creative to spread the right information faster. People make the right choices to protect themselves and their families when they have the facts.”

Vaccines remain critical for providing protection against the virus, massively reducing the chances of serious illness, hospitalization and death. COVID-19 vaccines protect everyone—including public health workers—and enable economies to recover.

Since COVID-19 began, the Mastercard Foundation has been working to ensure communities across Africa access accurate information about how to protect themselves.