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Africa's Access to COVID-19 Vaccines Remains a Challenge

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The World Health Organization reports the African continent is
   lagging in the race to vaccinate its people against the deadly
   coronavirus. WHO says Africa needs far greater access to COVID-19
   vaccines to reach its goal of vaccinating 60 percent of the population
   by June 2022.

   Africa received its first delivery of vaccines from the COVAX
   vaccine-sharing facility a month ago. Health officials say this has
   kick-started robust vaccination campaigns throughout much of the
   continent.

   Richard Mihigo is an immunization and vaccine development program
   coordinator at the WHO regional office for Africa. He says 32 countries
   currently are vaccinating high-risk groups against COVID-19. So far, he
   notes, nearly 7.7 million doses have been administered.

   "This is, indeed, a good start, even if the continent has received only
   limited doses and much later than other regions of the world," Mihigo
   said. "The momentum that has started must be kept up to widen the scope
   of COVID-19 vaccination beyond the high-risk groups that have been
   prioritized by many countries."

   Mihigo warns this will not be possible unless vaccine equity becomes a
   reality. He says it is unfair for some high-income countries to
   vaccinate their entire populations, while ignoring the needs of poorer
   nations.

   WHO estimates Africa will need 1.5 billion vaccine doses to protect 60
   percent of the continent's 1.2 billion population by June 2022. Another
   challenge facing Africa is the new coronavirus mutant strains.

   Mihigo says at least 15 African countries have reported the presence of
   variant strains. He says it is important to monitor the evolution of
   the new strains and to maintain public health measures, such as masks
   and social distancing.

   "All the measures that were proven really effective in preventing