The regional office for Africa of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned of the risk of a new wave of coronavirus on the continent due to increasing delays in vaccination compared to the rest of the world. world.
"Due to the postponement of deliveries of doses of Covid-19 vaccines manufactured by the Serum Institute of India for the attention of Africa, as well as the slow deployment of vaccines and the appearance of new variants, the risk of a new wave of infections remained high in Africa ”, warned in a statement the regional office of the WHO, based in Brazzaville.
Africa represents 1% of doses
"From now on, the African continent represents only 1% of the doses of vaccine administered in the world, against 2% a few weeks ago", according to the text.
Only about "half of the 37 million doses of vaccine against Covid-19 received in Africa have been administered so far," says the WHO, while stressing that "some African countries have been exemplary in terms of the deployment of vaccines ”.
“The first deliveries to 41 African countries through the Covax channel [aimed at ensuring poor countries access to vaccines] have been made since early March, but nine countries have administered less than a quarter of the doses received and 15 countries have administered less than half of their doses, ”laments the organization.
"Roll up your sleeves"
“The tragedy in India must not happen here in Africa, and we must all remain on high alert,” WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said in the statement.
“If we call for equity in vaccines, Africa must also roll up its sleeves and make the most of what we have.
We must use all the doses we have to vaccinate people, ”she insisted.
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