Africa Needs Timely Access To Coronavirus Vaccines: WHO Health workers, vulnerable African need urgent access to safe, effective vaccines, says group’s regional director. Africa is at risk of being left behind as countries strike bilateral deals and drive up prices of coronavirus vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) Africa region said Thursday. The group's Africa regional director for Africa said health workers and vulnerable Africans need urgent access to safe and effective vaccines. "We first, not me first, is the only way to end the pandemic. Vaccine hoarding will only prolong the ordeal and delay Africa's recovery," Matshidiso Moeti said in a statement. "It is deeply unjust that the most vulnerable Africans are forced to wait for vaccines while lower-risk groups in rich countries are made safe."