Africa in need of 20 million Covid-19 vaccines -WHO

By Lerato Ndlovu

World Health Organisation (WHO) has said Africa needs a total of 200 million doses in order to vaccinate 10% of its population by September.

In a statement WHO revealed that Covid-19 antibodies are found in the body 6 months after the first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine which gives around 70% protection for at least 12 weeks and the full course provided with a 12-week interval gives 81% protection for an extended period.

“20 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are needed in the next six weeks to get second doses to all who received a first dose within the 8—12 week interval between doses recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

“A single dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine gives around 70% protection for at least 12 weeks. Data on the protection from one dose after 12 weeks is limited, however COVID-19 antibodies have been found in the body up to 6 months after one dose. The full course provided with a 12-week interval gives 81% protection for an extended period,” read the statement.

This comes after WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at the World Health Assembly asked all member states to support a massive vaccination push.

WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti said there is need for dose sharing in Africa, so as preserve lives.

“As supplies dry up, dose-sharing is an urgent, critical and short-term solution to ensuring that Africans at the greatest risk of COVID-19 get the much-needed protection,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Africa needs vaccines now. Any pause in our vaccination campaigns will lead to lost lives and lost hope.”

“It’s too soon to tell if Africa is on the cusp of a third wave. However, we know that cases are rising, and the clock is ticking so we urgently appeal to countries that have vaccinated their high-risk groups to speed up the dose-sharing to fully protect the most vulnerable people.”

African countries that are unable to use all their vaccines are sharing them across the continent, while this prevents vaccine wastage, redistributing doses is costly and countries must roll out all available doses as soon as possible. WHO is working closely with countries to improve vaccine rollout by optimizing delivery strategies and increasing uptake.

“In the longer term, Africa must boost its manufacturing capacity for vaccines. Yet there is no quick-fix and putting the policies, processes and partnerships in place may take years. Intellectual Property waivers are a crucial first step but must come alongside the sharing of expertise and critical technologies”.