The head of Africa's Centre for Disease Control has warned that moves by India to halt exports of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine could be catastrophic for African countries.

John Nkengasong said supplies from India were vital to fighting coronavirus on the continent.

He added that if the delay continued, it would severely disrupt Africa's vaccination schedule.

"If the delay continues - I hope it’s a delay and not a ban - that would be catastrophic for meeting our vaccinations schedule," he said.

There has been a recent surge in Covid-19 cases in some parts of the continent, including Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.