COVID-19: Africa ‘far from ready’ for vaccination drive – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the continent is not yet ready for a COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.

“As the race to find a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is showing increasing promise, a new World Health Organization (WHO) analysis finds that Africa is far from ready for what will be the continent’s largest ever immunisation drive,” the global health body said on Thursday, 26 November 2020.

It said its analysis found that the African region was so far only 33% ready to roll out COVID-19 vaccines – way below the 80% benchmark. This was based on data provided by 40 countries on the continent – looking into their state of readiness for a vaccine rollout.

“The largest immunisation drive in Africa’s history is right around the corner, and African governments must urgently ramp up readiness. Planning and preparation will make or break this unprecedented endeavour, and we need active leadership and engagement from the highest levels of government with solid, comprehensive national coordination plans and systems put in place,”

WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti

The same analysis further found that only 49% (of countries) have identified the priority populations for vaccination and have plans in place to reach them, and 44% have coordination structures in place.

“Only 24% have adequate plans for resources and funding, 17% have data collection and monitoring tools ready and just 12% have plans to communicate with communities to build trust and drive demand for immunisation,” the WHO said.

Communities must partake in COVID-19 vaccine, says WHO director

Moeti has called on countries to reach out to communities and encourage them to take part in the vaccination rollout, saying such is an important step towards a conclusively successful vaccine.

According to the WHO, the rolling out of a COVID-19 vaccine will be around US$ 5.7 billion. This does not include an additional 15% – 20% cost for injection materials and the delivery of vaccines, which require trained health workers, supply chain and logistics and community mobilization, the organisation said.

A number of European countries are set to begin rolling out COVID-19 vaccination campaigns as early as January 2021.

During his last state of the nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that  a local company will be partnering with Johnson & Johnson, to manufacture and package its candidate.

He said Aspen Pharmacare, had entered into a preliminary agreement with the multinational firm – a move which the president said would benefit South Africans first.

“In recognition of the country’s manufacturing capability, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world, Johnson & Johnson, has entered into a preliminary agreement with a local company, Aspen Pharmacare, to manufacture and package its candidate vaccine,” Ramaphosa said.