key: cord-0926146-0tm22djt
authors: Kihara, Anne B.
title: Vaccination against COVID‐19 in Africa
date: 2021-04-13
journal: Int J Gynaecol Obstet
DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.13646
sha: 02695945506e5c68d64f38133e3e49723d93be9e
doc_id: 926146
cord_uid: 0tm22djt

nan

If we are to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to vaccinate worldwide. While vaccination programs are progressing in upper income countries, the same is not true on the African continent. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the world faces a "catastrophic moral failure", adding that the race to buy vaccines will only prolong the pandemic. There vaccine if it were deemed safe and effective. Data from this survey also showed significant variations in willingness for vaccine uptake across countries and across the five regions in the continent: from 94% and 93%, respectively, in Ethiopia and Niger, to 65% and 59%, respectively, in Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rejection of a COVID-19 vaccine appeared to be linked to beliefs that the disease is man-made, does not exist, or is exaggerated and does not pose a serious threat. Others think they are not at risk of being infected with the virus, while some believe that natural remedies and alternative medicines are safer than vaccines. Individuals who had a positive COVID-19 test believed that they do not need vaccination as they have developed innate immunity. 1 The process of vaccine development, which has been accelerated using modern technologies, is also increasingly being questioned.

The WHO, healthcare professionals, governments, pharma- There is a critical need for scientific evidence to guide interventions in Africa, and for strategic engagement with communities to address vaccination hesitancy. Given vaccination inequality and inequity 2 

Global Access (COVAX) initiative co-led by WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and GAVI, will be a success and provide guidance for all future endeavors. Historically, Africa has not uniformly focused on vaccine-preventable diseases.

To date, there has been inadequate diagnostic testing for COVID-19. It is envisioned that synergies offered from north to south (HICs to LMICs) and south to south (within LMICs) will facilitate access and prove cost-effective. 3 Significant questions remain to be answered for Africa, given that few vaccine studies have been undertaken there, and only since late 2020. For example, which vaccine will be most effective given the varied mechanisms of action and what kind of immune response is anticipated? How will a vaccination campaign be funded and how can the delivery chain, especially for the cold-storage vaccines, be preserved? Data are rapidly being amassed regarding such concerns, particularly given the surge of COVID variants. It is however reassuring that all major vaccines appear to be active against the current variants. 

African Union Africa CDC. Majority of Africans would take a safe and effective COVID 19 vaccine

Cornell Alliance for Science African immunization experts call for equitable access to COVID 19 vaccines

OECD. COVID-19 and Africa: Socio-economic implications and policy responses. 2020

FDA takes key action in fight against COVID 19 by issuing emergency use authorization for first COVID 19 vaccination

Can pregnant and breastfeeding women get the COVID 19 vaccine?

Adjoa Smalls-Mantey Pregnant? Allergies? Immunocompromised? You are still eligible for the COVID 19 vaccine

RCOG Updated advice on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy and women who are breastfeeding