The World Health Organisation African Region (WHOAFRO) says 15 African countries, nearly a third of the continent’s 54 nations have fully vaccinated 10% of their people against COVID-19.
The global goal of fully vaccinating 10% of every country’s population by September 30 was set in May by the World Health Assembly, the world’s highest health policy-setting body.
In a statement, the WHOAFRO says almost 90% of high income-countries have met this target.
Seychelles and Mauritius have fully vaccinated over 60% of their populations, Morocco 48% and Tunisia, Comoros, and Cape Verde over 20%.
Most of the African countries that have met the goal have relatively small populations and 40% are small island developing states.
All these countries have enjoyed sufficient supplies of vaccines, and many could access doses from separate sources in addition to those delivered through the COVAX Facility, the global platform to ensure equitable access to vaccines.
Half of the 52 African countries that have received COVID-19 vaccines have fully vaccinated just 2% or less of their populations.
Immunization and Vaccines Development Programme Coordinator for the WHOAFRO, Dr. Richard Mihigo says, “The latest data shows modest gains but there is still a long way to go to reach the WHO target of fully vaccinating 40% of the population by the end of the year. Shipments are increasing but opaque delivery plans are still the number one nuisance that holds Africa back.’
Below is the full statement:
