May 7, 2021
After more than a year of lockdowns and disruption caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic, African countries are preparing for the most ambitious vaccine rollout in human history.
By Titilayo Adewumi, regional sales director: West Africa at SAP
All eyes are now on the ability of countries to secure, import and distribute the vaccines effectively. This will require investment into local supply chains and a concerted effort by governments and health organisations to build trust with local populations to ensure every person that needs a vaccine is able to receive one.
In late February, Ghana became the first country in the world to receive a shipment of vaccines from the Covax initiative when 600 000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived. Telco operator MTN Group donated a further 165 000 doses and the Indian government 50 000 more, but the country will need significantly more to adequately cover its 31-million citizens.