Thursday, July 31, 2025
  • Who’sWho Africa AWARDS
  • About Time Africa Magazine
  • Contact Us
Time Africa Magazine
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • World News
    • US
    • UAE
    • Europe
    • UK
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Russia-Ukraine
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Column
  • Interviews
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
Time Africa Magazine
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • World News
    • US
    • UAE
    • Europe
    • UK
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Russia-Ukraine
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Column
  • Interviews
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
Time Africa Magazine
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • Magazine
  • World News

Home » Special Report » Africa needs to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination six-fold

Africa needs to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination six-fold

The slow uptake in COVID-19 vaccines in Africa requires global partners and countries to reset their programmes.

February 14, 2022
in Special Report
0
Currently 6 million people are vaccinated on average every week in Africa.

Currently 6 million people are vaccinated on average every week in Africa.

540
SHARES
4.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Although COVID-19 vaccine supplies to Africa have risen significantly, the continent is struggling to expand rollout, with only 11% of the population fully vaccinated. The vaccination rate needs to increase six times if the continent is to meet the 70% target set for the middle of this year. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and partners are launching a new initiative aimed at resolving bottlenecks.

To date, Africa has received more than 587 million vaccine doses, 58% through the COVAX Facility, 36 % from bilateral deals and 6% through Africa Vaccines Acquisition Trust (AVAT) of the African Union. In January 2022, 96 million doses were shipped to Africa, which is more than double that of six months ago. Increasing deliveries have eased shortages and turned the spotlight on the need for countries to rapidly ramp up vaccine rollout.

“The world has finally heard our calls. Africa is now accessing the vaccines it has demanded for far too long. This is a dose of hope for this year,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “However, a dependable pipeline must go hand in hand with operational funding to move doses out of depots and into people’s arms. WHO and partners are working with countries to urgently fix operational challenges including supporting health workers to speed up vaccine delivery, save lives and beat back this pandemic.”

Currently 6 million people are vaccinated on average every week in Africa, and this number needs to increase to 36 million to reach the 70% target agreed globally. Although Mauritius and Seychelles have already met the 70% target and seven African countries have vaccinated 40% of their population, vaccination rates on the continent remain low. Twenty-one countries have fully vaccinated less than 10% of their populations, while 16 have vaccinated less than 5% and three have fully vaccinated less than 2%.

ReadAlso

Pzafaama Helping Hand Foundation to Empower 500 Less Privileged Pupils in Nigeria

Nigeria’s Borrowing Binge, Poverty Soars | By Peter Obi

The slow uptake in COVID-19 vaccines in Africa requires global partners and countries to reset their programmes. WHO, UNICEF, IFRC and other partners are scaling up efforts to overcome hurdles, improve coordination and speed up vaccination drives. They have called for support to ensure vaccines are administered as quickly as possible upon arrival to avoid expired vaccines.

“UNICEF is at the forefront of the largest, most sophisticated ground operation in the history of immunization – and it will take a response of the same magnitude to turn vaccines into vaccinations,” said Mr Mohamed M. Malick Fall, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern & Southern Africa. “Richer countries must not only ensure they are donating vaccine doses that have adequate shelf lives but also contribute funding for in-country operational costs.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Data reported to WHO from 40 countries finds that there is a US$ 1.29 billion gap in funding for operational costs.

Late last year, WHO, in partnership with UNICEF, international and national partners, including ministries of health conducted surge missions to countries in Africa with the aim of understanding challenges and unlocking bottlenecks. Based on the mission findings, the partners have launched an initiative to support countries to reach the 70% global target.

WHO and partners are deploying, technical experts to 20 countries with significant challenges in vaccine deployment to form special support teams for three to six months and in some cases possibly up to a year. Already 50 experts have been deployed. They are working under the leadership of the ministries of health to strengthen partner coordination, logistical and financial planning, including microplanning, surveillance of adverse events following immunization, as well as the management of data on vaccination uptake and vaccine stock. Engaging and empowering communities so they follow key public health measures and support vaccination is important. Under the leadership of governments, partners are working with communities to strengthen trust and confidence in vaccination.

“This year, a lot more needs to be done to gain communities’ trust. When communities are in the driver’s seat, they become vital contributors to finding solutions to the outbreaks of diseases. In South Sudan, community-based Red Cross volunteers tackled the problem of slow vaccine uptake, through improved community trust, and helped prevent vaccine wastage,” said Mr Mohammed Omer Mukhier, IFRC Regional Director for Africa.

The continent is now emerging from its fourth pandemic wave driven by the Omicron variant. Cases have declined for the third straight week. Over the past week, cases dropped by 15% compared with the week before, while deaths fell slightly by 5%. Despite the overall decline in deaths in the continent, North Africa reported a 25% rise in weekly fatalities. So far Africa has recorded 10.8 million cases and over 239 000 deaths cumulatively.

The omicron variant and its three sub lineages have been reported in 37 countries in Africa – of these the highest number of cases has been the original BA.1 sub lineage with more than 5300 cases in 20 countries. In addition, there have been more than 200 cases of BA.2 the so-called stealth omicron sub lineage in five countries and 43 cases of BA.3 in three countries.

 

Dr Moeti, Mr Fall and Mr Mukhier spoke today during a virtual press conference.

Also on hand from the WHO Regional Office for Africa to respond to questions were Dr Benido Impouma, Director, Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases Cluster, Dr Richard Mihigo, Coordinator, Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme, Dr Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi, Regional Virologist, and Dr Thierno Balde, Regional COVID-19 Incident Manager.

 

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Ramaphosa delivers clear analysis of South Africa’s problems. But will he act on them?

Next Post

Intra-Rwandan dialogue is crucial for peace in the Great Lakes

You MayAlso Like

Special Report

Global hunger declines, but rises in Africa — UN report

July 29, 2025
Special Report

Growing number of African Americans are leaving the US

July 28, 2025
Special Report

Hundreds of Nigerian ‘authors’ use visa scheme to enter Britain

July 28, 2025
Market women interact at the Agbogbloshie market in Accra, Ghana. November 28, 2024. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo 
Special Report

Ghana narrows fiscal deficit target after better-than-expected first half

July 27, 2025
A woman buys vegetables at Kermel Market, in downtown Dakar, Senegal, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra/File photo
Special Report

Senegal’s billions in hidden debt, and why it is an IMF headache

July 27, 2025
Special Report

Borderless ambitions: unlocking intra-African trade through agro-industrial investment

July 27, 2025
Next Post
Rwanda's government needs to start taking into consideration criticism coming from dissenting politicians and activists,

Intra-Rwandan dialogue is crucial for peace in the Great Lakes

Russian servicemen drive tanks during military exercises in the Leningrad Region, Russia on February 14, 2022.

Ukraine hit by cyber attack as U.S. questions Russian troop pullback

Discussion about this post

BLACK SUNDAY: Islamic Terrorists attack Catholic Church, killing at least 34 Worshipers 

New Male Contraceptive Pill Tested

Kidnapped Nigerian Catholic Priest Regains Freedom after 51 Days in Captivity

Dangote daughters take on growing leadership roles as billionaire tycoon steps back

Breakthrough HIV jab to be supplied to millions at knock-down price

Nigeria came from two goals down to defeat Morocco 3-2 in final Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

  • British government apologizes to Peter Obi, as hired impostors, master manipulators on rampage abroad

    1239 shares
    Share 496 Tweet 310
  • Maids trafficked and sold to wealthy Saudis on black market

    1065 shares
    Share 426 Tweet 266
  • Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

    969 shares
    Share 388 Tweet 242
  • ‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

    902 shares
    Share 360 Tweet 225
  • Crisis echoes, fears grow in Amechi Awkunanaw in Enugu State

    735 shares
    Share 294 Tweet 184
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

British government apologizes to Peter Obi, as hired impostors, master manipulators on rampage abroad

April 13, 2023

Maids trafficked and sold to wealthy Saudis on black market

December 27, 2022
Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

September 22, 2023
‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

March 21, 2023
Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu, wife of Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra state

NIGERIA: No, wife of Biafran warlord, Bianca Ojukwu lied – Ebele Obiano:

0

SOUTH AFRICA: TO LEAVE OR NOT TO LEAVE?

0
kelechi iheanacho

TOP SCORER: IHEANACHA

0
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

WHAT CAN’TBE TAKEN AWAY FROM JONATHAN

0

Pzafaama Helping Hand Foundation to Empower 500 Less Privileged Pupils in Nigeria

July 30, 2025

Nigeria’s Borrowing Binge, Poverty Soars | By Peter Obi

July 30, 2025

Dangote daughters take on growing leadership roles as billionaire tycoon steps back

July 30, 2025

83-year-old Ivory Coast President Ouattara declares for fourth term

July 29, 2025

ABOUT US

Time Africa Magazine

TIME AFRICA MAGAZINE is an African Magazine with a culture of excellence; a magazine without peer. Nearly a third of its readers hold advanced degrees and include novelists, … READ MORE >>

SECTIONS

  • Aviation
  • Column
  • Crime
  • Europe
  • Featured
  • Gallery
  • Health
  • Interviews
  • Israel-Hamas
  • Lifestyle
  • Magazine
  • Middle-East
  • News
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • Russia-Ukraine
  • Science
  • Special Report
  • Sports
  • TV/Radio
  • UAE
  • UK
  • US
  • World News

Useful Links

  • AllAfrica
  • Channel Africa
  • El Khabar
  • The Guardian
  • Cairo Live
  • Le Republicain
  • Magazine: 9771144975608
  • Subscribe to TIME AFRICA biweekly news magazine

    Enjoy handpicked stories from around African continent,
    delivered anywhere in the world

    Subscribe

    • About Time Africa Magazine
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • WHO’SWHO AWARDS

    © 2025 Time Africa Magazine - All Right Reserved. Time Africa is a trademark of Times Associates, registered in the U.S, & Nigeria. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
    • Politics
    • Column
    • Interviews
    • Gallery
    • Lifestyle
    • Special Report
    • Sports
    • TV/Radio
    • Aviation
    • Health
    • Science
    • World News

    © 2025 Time Africa Magazine - All Right Reserved. Time Africa is a trademark of Times Associates, registered in the U.S, & Nigeria. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.

    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.