Expect Delays In Vaccine Supply, WHO Tells Nigeria, Others

• … WHO regional director said Africa had been affected by the happenings in India

The World Health Organisation has intimated Nigeria and some other African countries on delays in the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines.

The WHO Africa Regional Director, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said this during a press conference with journalists.

She, however, said Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Niger, Cameroon and Comoros should still expect their shipments.

The Federal Government had asked all states administering COVID-19 vaccines to stop immediately they have exhausted half of the dosage given to them as a result of a shortage of the AstraZeneca vaccine on the international market occasioned by a surge in the demand for the vaccine especially in India which is experiencing a second wave of COVID-19.

Some states like Bauchi, Benue and Ogun had already complied with the directive.

Speaking at the press conference, the WHO regional director said Africa had been affected by the happenings in India.

Read also: COVID-19: NCDC Announces 84 Fresh Cases, One Death

She said attempts were being made to find alternatives but this would not happen overnight

Moeti said, “Delays in COVAX shipments are expected to continue this month unfortunately as India is fighting a severe second wave of COVID-19 and has temporarily banned vaccine exports. Despite supply challenges, we are expecting COVAX deliveries in the coming weeks in Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Niger, Cameroon and Comoros.

“Countries affected by the delays have received WHO guidance to optimise the national deployment of the available doses. Manufacturers along with WHO, Africa CDC, African countries, development partners and the African Vaccine Manufacturing Initiative are working hard to sustainably scale-up vaccine production, but we recognise that this cannot be achieved overnight.”

Moeti said short-term solutions that prioritise vaccine equity were needed and that Africa was already playing COVID-19 vaccination catch-up.

“While we acknowledge the immense burden placed by the global demand for vaccines, inequity can only worsen scarcity,” the WHO director said.

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