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WHO urges African countries to ramp up readiness for Covid-19 vaccination drive
As the race to find a safe and
effective Covid-19 vaccine is showing increasing promise , a new World Health Organisation ( WHO ) analysis finds that Africa is far from ready for what will be the continent ’ s largest ever immunisation drive .
At the end of November 2020 , in a statement the WHO said all 47 countries in the African region have received its Vaccine Readiness Assessment Tool which is intended to be used by ministries of health .
The vaccine provides a roadmap for countries to plan for Covid-19 vaccine introduction and covers 10 key areas including planning and coordination , resources and funding , vaccine regulations , service delivery , training and supervision , monitoring and evaluation , vaccine logistics , vaccine safety and surveillance and communications and community engagement .
According to WHO , 40 countries have updated the tool and provided data to the organisation . An analysis finds that based on the self-reports by the countries , the African region has an average score of 33 % readiness for a Covid-19 vaccine roll-out , which is well below the desired benchmark of 80 %.
“ The largest immunisation drive in Africa ’ s history is right around the corner , and African governments must urgently ramp up readiness . Planning and preparation will make or break this unprecedented endeavour , and we need active leadership and engagement from the highest levels of government with solid , comprehensive national coordination
Creative Commons plans and systems put in place ,” said the WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Matshidiso Moeti .
According to WHO analysis of the country readiness data , only 49 % have identified the priority populations for vaccination and have plans in place to reach them , and 44 % have coordination structures in place .
“ Only 24 % have adequate plans for resources and funding , 17 % have data collection and monitoring tools ready and just 12 % have plans to communicate with communities to build trust and drive demand for immunisation .
“ Developing a safe and effective vaccine is just the first step in a successful roll-out .
“ If communities are not onboard and convinced that a vaccine will protect their health , we will make little
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headway . It ' s critical that countries reach out to communities and hear their concerns and give them a voice in the process ,” said Dr Moeti
WHO estimates the cost of rolling out a Covid-19 vaccine on the African continent to priority populations will be around USD5.7-billion . This does not include an additional 15 to 20 % cost for injection materials and the delivery of vaccines , which require trained health workers , supply chain and logistics and community mobilisation .
WHO and partners recently released guidance on Covid-19 vaccination planning and deployment for national governments , aiming to help them design strategies for the deployment , implementation and monitoring of Covid-19 vaccines and better integrate their strategies and financing to boost efficiency .
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An analysis found that the African region has an average score of 33 % readiness for a Covid-19 vaccine . www . coldlinkafrica . co . za
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