Africa faces shortfall of nearly 500 million doses of vaccine: WHO official

Demonstrators raise their fists and react to a slogan while holding up banners and placards during a protest march against COVID-19 vaccinations and wearing of masks, in Pretoria in August. Pic/AFP

The goal of vaccinating 40 per cent of Africa's population against Covid-19 by December appears elusive as the continent grapples with cutbacks on doses supplied via multilateral platforms, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official said.

In a statement on Thursday, Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said the continent faces a nearly 500 million vaccine shortfall, as the COVAX facility slashes 150 million doses that were slated for delivery this year, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to Moeti, COVAX facility will only deliver 470 million doses to Africa this year, enough to vaccinate 17 per cent of the population, hence derailing the quest to expand coverage of the fully immunised population.

She noted that export bans and vaccine hoarding is slowing down vaccine deliveries to Africa where a partly 50 million people or 3.6 per cent of the population is fully immunised against the virus.

"The huge gap in vaccine equity is not closing anywhere near fast enough. It is time for vaccine manufacturing countries to open the gates and help those facing the greatest risk," said Moeti.

Will unvaccinated Bolsonaro be allowed at UN General Assembly meet?

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's reluctance to get a Covid-19 vaccine is a rarity in his country - and may complicate his plans to attend the UN's General Assembly next week. The assembly's leader, Abdulla Shahid, announced on Wednesday that all attendees must be vaccinated to speak at the gathering, citing a New York City policy. That could bar Bolsonaro, a beleaguered right-wing leader seeking to rehabilitate his image abroad.

Italy makes Covid green pass mandatory

In a latest push to the ongoing vaccination campaign, Italy has made the Covid-19 green pass mandatory for all people in the job market, both private and public sectors. After a meeting on Thursday, Prime Minister Mario Draghi's cabinet delivered the provision with a specific decree that will enter into force on October 15, to give companies and public offices time to adjust, reports Xinhua news agency.

5,71,075
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours

22,72,48,986
Total no. of cases worldwide

46,74,117
Total no. of deaths worldwide

Source: WHO/Johns Hopkins

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