Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the agency’s Regional Director for
Africa, gave the warning during a briefing on Thursday.
Moeti stated that Guinea was the only low-income country on
the continent to have received doses, with only 25 people vaccinated so far.
According to her, Seychelles is the only country on the
continent where a national COVID-19 vaccination campaign has started.
She said the story was different in wealthier continents
where the vaccines had been administered in 50 nations so far.
“We first, not me first, is the only way to end the
pandemic. Vaccine hoarding will only prolong the ordeal and delay Africa’s
recovery.
“It is deeply unjust that the most vulnerable Africans are
forced to wait for vaccines while lower-risk groups in rich countries are made
safe.
“Health workers and vulnerable people in Africa need urgent
access to safe and effective COVID-19vaccines,” Moeti said.
COVAX Facility, the international alliance established to
ensure equitable global distribution of the vaccines, said it had secured two
billion doses for Africa.
In a report on Thursday, the UN quoted Mr Thabani Maphosa,
the Managing Director, Country Programmes at GAVI, a partner in the alliance,
as saying delivery would begin soon.
COVAX has committed to vaccinating no fewer than 20 per cent
of the population in Africa by the end of 2021.
Priority will be given to health workers and other
vulnerable groups, such as older persons and those with pre-existing health
conditions.
An initial 30 million vaccine doses are expected to begin
arriving in countries by March.
In all, a maximum of 600 million doses will be disbursed,
based on two doses per person, the UN said in the report.
“WHO said timelines and quantities could change, for example
if vaccines fail to meet regulatory approval or due to challenges related to
production, delivery and funding.”