COVID-19: DRC to return AstraZeneca vaccines to UNICEF

The Democratic Republic of Congo has made a significant decision to return 1.3 million out of the 1.7 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines it received to the United Nations Children's Fund for redistribution to other African countries. Dr. Saaj Holen Emmanuel, the managing director and co-owner of Medisad, Dan Wissar, a private clinic and a COVID-19 vaccination center in DRC, shed light on the reasons behind this move and provided a valuable update on the COVID-19 situation in the country. In an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa, Dr. Emmanuel discussed the challenges and considerations that led to the decision to return the vaccines, as well as the current state of the pandemic in DRC. The Republic of Congo has faced hurdles in its vaccination program due to concerns over AstraZeneca's safety and efficacy, prompting the Ministry of Health to delay the vaccination rollout. Despite efforts to ramp up vaccination efforts, the country has struggled to utilize the allocated doses efficiently, leading to the decision to return excess vaccines for redistribution. This strategic move aims to prevent wastage and ensure that the vaccines are utilized effectively to combat the ongoing pandemic. Dr. Emmanuel emphasized the importance of maximizing the impact of vaccine distribution in the region and highlighted the collaborative efforts of organizations like COVAX in supporting vaccination initiatives in African countries. As DRC navigates the challenges posed by the pandemic, the decision to return AstraZeneca vaccines signifies a proactive approach to optimizing vaccine utilization and enhancing regional vaccination efforts.