COVID-19: Can Africa meet WHO vaccination goal?

Africa is facing a significant challenge in meeting the urgent global goal of vaccinating the most vulnerable 10% of every country's population against COVID-19 by the end of September. According to new data from the World Health Organization, 42 out of Africa's 54 nations, representing nearly 80% of the continent, are at risk of missing this critical target due to the current pace of vaccine deliveries and vaccinations. This alarming statistic underscores the need for concerted efforts to accelerate the vaccination process and ensure that more countries can access and administer vaccines effectively. Mary-Ange Saraka-Yao, the Managing Director of Resource Mobilization Private Sector Partnerships at GAVI, addressed this pressing issue in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Saraka-Yao highlighted the progress that has been made in vaccine delivery, with four times more vaccines being delivered in the current month compared to the previous month. While there has been tangible progress, she emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration and collective action to overcome existing challenges. One of the key obstacles hindering vaccine distribution is the export restrictions imposed by some vaccine-producing markets. Saraka-Yao stressed the need for these restrictions to be lifted to prioritize low and middle-income countries in the vaccine allocation process. Additionally, expediting regulatory approvals for vaccination sites across the continent is crucial to ramping up the vaccination efforts. The collaborative initiative COVAX has played a pivotal role in reserving and distributing doses to low and middle-income countries, significantly reducing the time gap between vaccine deliveries in Africa and other regions. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions, there is a growing momentum to address the vaccination disparities. Saraka-Yao commended the recent efforts at the UN General Assembly, particularly the US Summit's push to prioritize vaccine distribution to low and middle-income countries. She emphasized the need for tangible actions, not just rhetoric, to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all populations. Leadership at the continental level has also played a significant role in advocating for increased vaccine distribution. Strong statements from leaders like Cyril Ramaphosa in South Africa and collaboration with organizations like the African Union have underscored the urgency of vaccinating the African population. Saraka-Yao acknowledged the advocacy efforts while highlighting the need for countries to be prepared to receive and administer the allocated vaccine doses effectively. Despite the progress made in delivering close to 300 million doses worldwide, much more needs to be done to achieve widespread vaccination coverage. With the goal of delivering over 470 million doses in Africa by the first quarter of 2022, concerted efforts are essential to bridge the existing vaccination gap. The emergence of new COVID-19 variants further underscores the imperative of global vaccination to prevent adverse health and economic impacts. Addressing the challenges of misinformation, vaccine expiry, and travel restrictions for unvaccinated individuals is critical to enhancing vaccination campaigns. Collaborative engagement with manufacturers to ensure the timely delivery of vaccines with adequate shelf life is crucial. Advocacy campaigns to educate communities on the benefits of immunization and the importance of vaccination are essential in overcoming vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. In conclusion, the fight against COVID-19 in Africa necessitates a united front, with stakeholders across sectors working together to expedite vaccine distribution and administration. The progress made so far highlights the potential for greater achievements through sustained collaboration and tangible actions to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all populations across the continent.