By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja, Jan. 22, 2021 The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, says there are over 3.3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent.
The UN health agency gave the update on its regional official Twitter on Friday.
WHO stated on its dashboard that there were over 3.3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent – with more than 2.8 million recoveries and 82,000 deaths cumulatively.
Meanwhile, in a statement posted on its website, the UN health agency said Africa needed timely access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to combat the virus.
It stated that while the development and approval of safe and effective vaccines less than a year after the emergence of COVID-19 is a stunning achievement, Africa is lagging behind.
Africa needs timely access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines
All the 54 countries on the continent have expressed interest in the COVAX Facility
BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), January 21, 2021/APO Group/
While the development and approval of safe and effective vaccines less than a year after the emergence of COVID-19 is a stunning achievement, Africa is in danger of being left behind as countries in other regions strike bilateral deals, driving up prices.
As of early this week 40 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in 50 mostly high-income countries. However, in Africa, Guinea is the sole low-income nation to provide vaccines and to date these have only been administered to 25 people. Seychelles, which is a high-income country, is the only one on the continent to start a national vaccination campaign.
Africa lagging behind
Meanwhile, in a statement posted on its website, the UN health agency said Africa needed timely access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to combat the virus.
It stated that while the development and approval of safe and effective vaccines less than a year after the emergence of COVID-19 is a stunning achievement, Africa is lagging behind.
“Africa is in danger of being left behind as countries in other regions strike bilateral deals, driving up prices.
“As of early this week, 40 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in 50 mostly high-income countries.
“However, in Africa, Guinea is the sole low-income nation to provide vaccines and to date, these have only been administered to 25 people.
COVID-19 vaccines: Africa in danger, may be left behind ― WHO COVID-19 vaccines: Africa in danger, may be left behind ― WHO
Share
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned, on Thursday, that Africa is in danger of being left behind in accessing safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
In a statement released yesterday, the WHO said Africa needs timely access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines.
But it stated that the continent is in danger of being left behind as countries in other regions strike bilateral deals, driving up prices.
The statement said: “While the development and approval of safe and effective vaccines less than a year after the emergence of COVID-19 is a stunning achievement, Africa is in danger of being left behind as countries in other regions strike bilateral deals, driving up prices.”