WHO warns Africa falling far behind in vaccinations

The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning that African countries are falling behind in COVID-19 vaccination rates and that many are set to miss their targets unless they receive millions more doses.

The WHO warned on Thursday that 47 of Africa’s 54 countries, almost 90 percent, are on track to miss the goal of having vaccinated 10 percent of the population by September unless they receive 225 million more doses.

The numbers highlight the disparities between countries on vaccinations. Africa’s 32 million doses administered so far are under 1 percent of the 2.1 billion given worldwide, the WHO said. Just 2 percent of people in Africa have received at least one dose, compared to about 52 percent in the United States.

Cases are now rising again on the continent.

“As we close in on 5 million cases and a third wave in Africa looms, many of our most vulnerable people remain dangerously exposed to COVID-19,” said Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO’s regional director for Africa. “Vaccines have been proven to prevent cases and deaths, so countries that can, must urgently share COVID-19 vaccines. It’s do or die on dose sharing for Africa.”