Dr. John Nkengasong head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned against a "vaccine war" among nations. He said on Thursday at a WHO meeting that he "truly feels helpless that this situation is going to greatly influence our ability to fight this virus." He added, "There is absolutely no need for us humans to go into a vaccine (疫苗) war to fight this pandemic (疫情). We will all be losers."
It is reported that the Serum Institute of India is delaying major exports of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to meet the rising demand within India. This institute produces the AstraZeneca vaccine being sent to Africa through the COVAX program. It is an international effort to make sure poor countries receive enough vaccines.
South Sudan received its first shipment of 132, 000 doses (剂) of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday. The WHO called the arrival a "big step" toward equal availability of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. At least 28 of Africa's 54 countries have received over 16 million doses through COVAX.
But COVAX has been facing delays related to the limited worldwide supply of the vaccine. Africa has received limited doses and much later than the rest of the world. At least 10 African countries have not yet received any vaccines.
Officials hope to vaccinate (注射疫苗) 60 percent of Africa's 1.3 billion people by the middle of next year to help Africa reach herd immunity (群体免疫), which means when enough people are protected through infection or vaccination, it will be difficult for a virus to continue spreading. But that goal will not be reached without the widespread use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is less costly and easier to store than many others.
Expel warn that until vaccination rates are high worldwide, the virus remains a threat everywhere.
