The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for fairness in access to Covid-19 vaccines to widen the reach in Africa.
The WHO said on Thursday that while vaccines had been delivered through the global partnership Covax, current global supply constraints could mean a critical proportion of people remain unvaccinated for months.
“While some high-income countries are seeking to vaccinate their entire populations, many in Africa are struggling to sufficiently cover even their high-risk groups,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO regional director for Africa.
“Acquiring Covid-19 vaccines must not be a competition. Fair access will benefit all and not just some of us,” his statement added.
WHO calls for equitable #COVID19 vaccine access to widen reach in #Africa. Africa urgently needs more supplies as deliveries begin to slow down & initial batches are nearly exhausted in some countries. https://t.co/OyPQnPCY3l
— WHO African Region (@WHOAFRO) March 25, 2021
The WHO said vaccine doses have not yet arrived in 10 African countries. So far, the continent has administered 7.7 million vaccine doses, it said.
It urged efforts to be made to ensure equity in vaccine distribution, including by “strengthening local production to meet demand” in the continent and “promoting technology transfer and reducing intellectual property barriers”.
Latest Stories
-
Bahamas World Relays: Ghana paired with world and Olympic champions in Heat 1
7 hours -
Bahamas 2024 Relays: Star-studded cast ready to put on pre-Paris show
8 hours -
Bahamas Relays preview: clash of global title-winning teams in men’s 4x100m
8 hours -
Arsenal keeper Raya wins Premier League Golden Glove
8 hours -
Iñaki Williams scores twice in Athletic Bilbao’s win over Getafe
9 hours -
Argument with Salah ‘completely resolved’ – Klopp
9 hours -
Reus to leave Dortmund at the end of the season
9 hours -
Uefa confirms 26-man squads for Euro 2024
9 hours -
Teacher Unions press home demands for the new allowances
9 hours -
Media’s failure to hold government accountable for ‘galamsey’ alarming – Mahama
9 hours -
Keta Presbytery urges Akufo-Addo to assent to anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
9 hours -
Ghanaian midfielder Lawrence Ofori nets maiden goal of the season with stunner against Vizela
10 hours -
Community fearful after off-duty policemen shot dead at East Trasacco
10 hours -
Dext Technology partners KNUST to train basic school teachers on STEM
10 hours -
My efforts led to remarkable transformation in Appiatse – Lands Minister
10 hours