World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for
Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti has said that vaccines are the best hope of ending
COVID-19 pandemic on the continent.
Moeti made this known in a statement posted on WHO Regional
Office for Africa website.
She also said that vaccines would be made available to the
most vulnerable countries first.
“The success of any immunization campaign hinges on
communities’ trust and acceptance. It is vital that we equip them with the
right information, allay any fears and address concerns,” said Dr Matshidiso
Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
Engaging communities increases the likelihood that they will
take the lead on issues affecting them, eases access and use of services. It
also facilitates comprehension and access to information, enables feedback and,
critically for COVID-19 vaccination, helps in understanding vaccine safety and
addressing possible adverse events following immunization.
“Vaccines are our best hope of ending this pandemic. While
all the efforts being made for successful immunization campaigns are critical,
without community support they can easily flounder,” said Dr Moeti.
When COVID-19 vaccines become available, it is expected that they will be provided first to the most vulnerable and those at the highest risk. Initial groups will likely include frontline health workers, older people and adults with underlying conditions such heart disease or diabetes.
The initial COVID-19 vaccine supplies will be limited, as
such will not be available to everyone right away. WHO and other immunization
partners are providing technical support to countries in the African region to
prepare for a successful COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Through the COVAX
Facility, WHO and partners are working with governments and vaccine
manufacturers to procure COVID-19 vaccine doses to cover 20% of the African
population, initially focusing on those at the highest risk.
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