Representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa and the University of Nairobi in Kenya have met in a webinar to discuss Africa’s Covid-19 vaccine readiness.
Moderator Tsepiso Makwetla welcomed the panel before Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, spoke on what the status of development was on several Covid-19 vaccine candidates and where Africa stands. “With three Covid-19 candidates demonstrating high levels of efficacy, many countries are keen and determined to get the vaccine on time. We know that African countries are concerned and hoping that pre-ordering millions of doses of vaccines by wealthy countries will not disadvantage,” Moeti said.
She said vaccination in combination with tried and tested public health measures would help end the pandemic. “As the Covid-19 vaccine is rolled out in phases, it will turn into the biggest vaccination drive in the history of the continent and, indeed, the history of the world,” said Moeti.
Moeti explained that the work of the WHO has seen the global health body work with partners to prepare for this unprecedented initiative, adding that 40 of the 47 countries in the African region that received readiness assessment tools have shared data on their preparedness of a Covid-19 vaccine rollout. Read more…
