The World Health Organization warns of a possible third wave of Covid-19 in Africa as pollution begins to rise again in 14 countries on the continent, and only 0.54% of the African population is currently fully protected by a vaccine. The WHO acknowledges that the continent was poorly prepared for this vaccine phase and overly dependent on the rest of the world. Almost 99% of vaccine production takes place outside Africa. And it takes time to produce locally. While some countries on the continent have already emptied their stocks.
African countries are facing a shortage of vaccines and this could have been avoided according to Dr Matshidiso Moeti, head of the WHO in Africa. “We could have previously realized the production shortage in relation to the world’s needs. And suddenly the decision to divide the available doses could have been made earlier. But there are currently intense political negotiations to establish manufacturing units in Africa. “
But realizing these plans still takes time. Agreements have therefore just been concluded with the laboratories Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer. Objective: to limit the Covax’s dependence on the Astra Zeneca laboratory and its production and delivery delays. Matshidiso Moeti calls for patience. “It is expected that the difficulties will decrease and that vaccine deliveries will increase from July / August. It will get better. “
Urgent need for 20 million doses
Immediately, vaccination campaigns are slowing down. Doctor Richard Mihigo, who is responsible for vaccination at WHO Africa, therefore appeals to rich countries. “We have heard many fantastic promises and big commitments from high-income countries to share their doses. But these commitments are slow in the short term. ”
He recalled that Africa immediately needs 20 million doses to administer a second dose of vaccine to anyone who has received their first injection. Chad has just received its first supply of vaccines under the Covax system. There are only three countries left in Africa that have not had access to vaccines. Eritrea, Burundi and Tanzania have not yet joined the WHO-led program.
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This Thursday, June 3, the World Health Organization underlines in its latest report a significant increase in the number of cases of Covid-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and more precisely in Kinshasa. Although the number of cases is still relatively small, it is a marked increase compared to the figures in recent weeks.
244 new confirmed cases in the country, including 161 in Kinshasa.
Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, coordinator of the fight against Covid-19 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, discusses this phenomenon and its consequences in hospitals in the capital, at the microphone forCharlotte cosset“This resulted in an inventory, especially of our hospitals, which are really congested. The occupancy rate is within 100%. And the degree of positivity of the incoming and outgoing traveler is also very high. We therefore want to take measures to strengthen barrier gestures among the population. Right now, for example, we have problems with the Indian variant. The Indian variant is becoming increasingly important. We’ll see how we can really slow down this influx of positive travelers. Our problem right now is that there is a lack of oxygen. However, this is a very important part of the proper handling of Covid cases. The fact that the care teams do not receive their incentive bonus, this also hinders the response to the third wave ”.
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