India s Covid battle stokes vaccine worries in Africa
Issued on:
10/05/2021 - 13:25 We are watching in total horror and disbelief at what is going on in India, John Nkengasong told AU ministers Michael Tewelde AFP 4 min
Nairobi (AFP)
Africa is watching aghast as India struggles with coronavirus, fearing a long-running shortfall in the Indian-made vaccines that it needs to help shield its people.
Often dubbed the world s pharmacy , India is one of the biggest suppliers of the AstraZeneca vaccine under the Covax programme to help immunisation in poorer countries.
But India has been hammered by an explosive growth in infections accelerated, say scientists, by a new variant.
Africa is watching aghast as India struggles with coronavirus, fearing a long-running shortfall in the Indian-made vaccines that it needs to help protect its people.
Often dubbed the “pharmacy of the world”, India is one of the biggest suppliers of the AstraZeneca vaccine under the COVAX programme to help immunisation in poorer countries.
But India has been hammered by an explosive growth in infections – accelerated, say scientists, by a new variant.
The country has recorded 22 million cases out of a population of 1.3 billion, and a death toll of nearly a quarter of a million.
After sending more than 60 million doses overseas, India announced at the end of March that it was delaying supplies to other countries as it works to meet its own needs.
India s COVID-19 battle stokes vaccine worries in Africa Africa is watching aghast as India struggles with coronavirus, fearing a long-running shortfall in the Indian-made vaccines that it needs to help shield its people. Relatives carry the body of a victim who died due to the COVID-19 coronavirus at a cremation ground in New Delhi, India, on 5 May 2021. Picture: SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP
16 days ago
NAIROBI - Africa is watching aghast as India struggles with coronavirus, fearing a long-running shortfall in the Indian-made vaccines that it needs to help shield its people.
Often dubbed the world s pharmacy , India is one of the biggest suppliers of the AstraZeneca vaccine under the Covax programme to help immunisation in poorer countries.
Some 14.7 million vaccine doses administered, as roll out of Africa’s COVID campaigns stall
By Maxwell Awumah
3 HOURS AGO
More than 14.7 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the continent, but rollout campaigns have stalled in many countries.
As of April 28, only Seychelles, an island nation with a population of almost 123,831 people, has vaccinated about 68 per cent of its population.
Morocco followed up with 12.4 per cent administering 8.86 million doses of vaccines to its population with Rwanda and Ghana administering 1.4 per cent and 1.3 per cent of their population with doses of 349,702 and 755,686, respectively, as of April 11, this year.
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African vaccine delivery is slowed
After India temporarily banned exports of the shots as it grapples with a severe second wave of infections.
By Janice Kew, Bloomberg
9 Apr 2021 08:00
Image: Bloomberg
Delays in Covid-19 vaccine shipments to Africa are expected to continue this month after India temporarily banned exports of the shots as it grapples with a severe second wave of infections.
Most African countries are largely dependent on Covax, a global initiative meant to provide equitable access to vaccines thatâs backed by the World Health Organisation. Covax is reliant on AstraZeneca Plcâs Covid-19 shot and leans on the Serum Institute of India Ltd. to manufacture its allotments.