WHO reports that the number of vaccines against COVID-19 applied in Africa has been reduced by more than 50%

The number of vaccinations against COVID-19 administered in Africa has dropped more than 50% in the past three months, the World Health Organization said Thursday (WHO), even though less than a quarter of all Africans have been vaccinated.

Despite the greater availability of vaccines on the continent, Africa is still far behind the world average, with only 24% of the population having completed their basic vaccination series against COVID-19 compared to 64% worldwide.

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”The end of the pandemic COVID-19 It is in sight, but as long as Africa is far behind the rest of the world in achieving widespread protection, there is a dangerous gap that the virus can exploit to come back with a bang.” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, regional director of the WHO for Africa.

Only three countries — Liberia, Mauritius and Seychelles — have vaccinated more than 70% of their population. Rwanda is expected to reach the benchmark soon, and four others have also reached 50%, the WHO Thursday.

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Once vaccines became available in 2021, Western countries stockpiled available supplies, leaving many African countries at the bottom of the waiting list. Some African countries also said doses donated by Western countries were shipped too close to their expiration dates to be used all.

Africa now has adequate vaccines available, he said Moeti Thursday. But as the number of cases has dropped, so has interest in getting vaccinated. Only 4,281 new cases were reported on the continent last week, down 1.3% compared to Africa during December 2021, the WHO said.

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“Unfortunately, since vaccines have helped prevent serious illness, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, people are less afraid and also less willing to get vaccinated,” said Moeti.

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.