Only 2% of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in Africa – UN News

The UN agencyis urging everycountry to vaccinate at least 40% of its population by the end of thisyear, andhopes to help ensure that70% of the worlds populationisby the middle of next year.

At a press conference on COVID-19and vaccine equity in Africa,which is home to more than 1.2 billion people,Mr.Ghebreyesusinformed that, so far,justtwocountries in Africa have reached the 40% target, the lowest of any region.

Thats not because African countries dont have the capacity or experience to roll out COVID-19 vaccines. Its because they've been left behind by the rest of the world,"he said.

Mr.Ghebreyesusexplainedthat this leaves people at high risk of diseaseanddeath,exposed to a deadly virus against which many other people around theworldenjoy protection."

For him, the longer vaccine inequity persists, the morethe virus will keep circulatingandchanging,the longer the socialandeconomic disruption will continue,andthe higher the chances that more variants will emerge that render vaccines less effective.

To avoid this situation, last yearWHOpartnered with UNICEF,CEPI, GAVIand others to createCOVAX.So far,the initiativehas shipped more than 260 million doses to 141 countries.

Mr.Ghebreyesuspointed to severalchallenges, with manufacturers prioritizing bilateral deals and many high-income countries tying up the global supply ofshots.

He also highlighted a similar initiative,establishedby theAfricanUnion, theCOVID-19 Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, known asAVAT.

This Monday and Tuesday, WHO representatives met with the leaders of AVAT to agree on a way forward, Mr.Ghebreyesussaid: Vaccine inequity is a solvable problem."

Hecalled onmanufacturers to prioritize COVAX and AVAT. Tocountrieswithhigh coverage levels, he asked them toswap their near-termvaccinesdeliveries,fulfil their dose-sharing pledges immediately,andfacilitate the sharing of technology.

TheWHO chief also calledon all countries and manufacturers to share information onbilateral deals,supplyanddelivery projectionsand torecognize all vaccines withaWHO Emergency Use Listing.

The AfricanUnions Special Envoy for COVID-19,Strive Masiyiwa,also participated in the briefing, alongsidethedirector of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention,JohnNkengasong,theUnder-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa,VeraSongwe, and WHO Regional Director for Africa,MatshidisoMoeti, among others.

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Only 2% of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in Africa - UN News