COVID pandemic created immunisation gaps in Africa
2 years, 3 months ago

COVID pandemic created immunisation gaps in Africa

The Hindu  

The COVID pandemic exposed the fault lines in health systems and national routine immunisation programmes around the world. What we do know so far is that the pandemic has resulted in substantial disruptions to national routine immunisation programmes. The pandemic widened immunisation gaps On the continent the pandemic has substantially disrupted national routine immunisation programmes. Charting a way forward The pandemic provides useful lessons on the importance of continuously strengthening health systems and “crisis-proofing” national routine immunisation programmes.

Africa Pandemic Health Services Coverage Immunisation Covid Systems Vaccine Programmes Health Systems Routine Immunisation Immunisation Services National Routine Routine Immunisation Programmes Vaccine Preventable Diseases Immunisation Programmes Dtp3 Immunisation Gaps  systems  created  africa  immunisation  vaccine  programmes  coverage  gaps  pandemic  health  services  national  routine  covid

History of this topic

Macron and African leaders push for vaccines for Africa after COVID-19 exposed inequalities
6 months ago

Macron and African leaders push for vaccines for Africa after COVID-19 exposed inequalities

Associated Press  

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron joined several African leaders on Thursday to kick off a planned $1 billion project to accelerate the rollout of vaccines in Africa, after the coronavirus pandemic exposed gaping inequalities in access to them. Many African leaders and advocacy groups say Africa was unfairly locked out of access to COVID-19 treatment tools, vaccines and testing …

African and European leaders push for vaccines for Africa after COVID-19 exposed inequalities
6 months ago

African and European leaders push for vaccines for Africa after COVID-19 exposed inequalities

LA Times  

European and African leaders gather at the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator conference in Paris on June 20, 2024. French President Emmanuel Macron joined several African leaders Thursday to kick off a planned $1-billion project to accelerate the rollout of vaccines in Africa, after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed gaping inequalities in access to them. Many African leaders and advocacy groups say …

COVID vaccination rates have dropped 50% in Africa, WHO says
2 years, 2 months ago

COVID vaccination rates have dropped 50% in Africa, WHO says

LA Times  

The number of COVID-19 vaccine doses given in Africa has dropped by more than 50% over the last three months, the World Health Organization said Thursday, even though less than a quarter of all Africans have been vaccinated. Despite increased availability of vaccines on the continent, Africa still lags far behind the global average, with only 24% of the population …

‘Africa on its own’: Little help for 1.3 billion people in epidemics, says official
2 years, 2 months ago

‘Africa on its own’: Little help for 1.3 billion people in epidemics, says official

LA Times  

Africa must plan to respond effectively to disease outbreaks without international help, a top public health official said Wednesday, warning that the continent of 1.3 billion people is “on its own” during pandemics. As assistance often never materializes, African nations must plug gaps in their response to outbreaks such as Ebola in Uganda, said Ahmed Ogwell, acting head of the …

Fight to end virus pandemic takes place on UN’s sidelines
2 years, 3 months ago

Fight to end virus pandemic takes place on UN’s sidelines

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — In four days of fiery speeches over war, climate change and the threat of nuclear weapons, one issue felt like an afterthought during this year’s U.N. General Assembly: the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gathered with World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and others to discuss equitable access …

Greater efforts required to get routine immunization back to pre-Covid times: WHO
2 years, 5 months ago

Greater efforts required to get routine immunization back to pre-Covid times: WHO

News 18  

The World Health Organization on Saturday called for greater efforts in the South-East Asia Region to revive routine immunization rates to pre-Covid times, stressing that despite concerted efforts by countries, challenges and gaps persist. Nepal substantially revived routine immunization coverage for DTP3 from 84 per cent in 2020 to 91 per cent in 2021. All countries in the South-East Asia …

Greater efforts needed to get routine immunisation back to pre-COVID times: World Health Organization
2 years, 5 months ago

Greater efforts needed to get routine immunisation back to pre-COVID times: World Health Organization

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization on July 16 called for greater efforts in the South-East Asia Region to revive routine immunisation rates to pre-COVID times, stressing that despite concerted efforts by countries, challenges and gaps persist. "As we focus on further scaling up COVID-19 vaccination coverage, we must also do all we can to ensure no child is deprived of life-saving …

Pandemic not over, says WHO as Covid cases rise in 110 countries
2 years, 5 months ago

Pandemic not over, says WHO as Covid cases rise in 110 countries

India Today  

The Covid-19 pandemic is changing but it is not over, the head of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday, cautioning that the cases are on the rise in 110 countries and are being driven mainly by two fast-spreading Omicron sub-variants. "On COVID-19, driven by BA.4 and BA.5 in many places, cases are on the rise in 110 countries, causing …

South Africa in new surge of COVID from versions of omicron
2 years, 7 months ago

South Africa in new surge of COVID from versions of omicron

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa is experiencing a surge of new COVID-19 cases driven by two omicron sub-variants, according to health experts. “We are seeing a slight, a small increase in hospitalizations and really very few deaths.” South Africa’s new cases have gone from an average of 300 per day in early April to about 8,000 per day this week. South …

'Pandemic phase' over for US, but...': Dr. Fauci's Covid assessment
2 years, 7 months ago

'Pandemic phase' over for US, but...': Dr. Fauci's Covid assessment

India TV News  

Dr. Anthony Fauci has given an upbeat assessment of the current state of the coronavirus in the United States, saying the country is “out of the pandemic phase” when it comes to new infections, hospitalizations and deaths, but that it appears to be making a transition to COVID-19 becoming an endemic disease — occurring regularly in certain areas. Fauci, the …

Time of Pandemics
2 years, 8 months ago

Time of Pandemics

Al Jazeera  

Antibodies, vaccine trials and the social factors determining health – what can we learn from the HIV experiences in the global south, in this time of COVID-19? This exploration, by South African filmmaker Rehad Desai, unpicks connections between the two pandemic experiences, from a global south perspective. This HIV vaccine research, and its extensive clinical trial infrastructure in South Africa, …

Up to 65% of Africans have had COVID, far more than thought
2 years, 8 months ago

Up to 65% of Africans have had COVID, far more than thought

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — The World Health Organization said that up to 65% of people in Africa have been infected with the coronavirus and estimates the number of actual cases may have been nearly 100 times more than those reported. In a new analysis released Thursday, the U.N. health agency reviewed 151 studies of COVID-19 in Africa based on blood samples taken …

South Africa surpasses 1,00,000 COVID-19 related deaths; curbs to be eased 'soon' despite 5th wave warning
2 years, 8 months ago

South Africa surpasses 1,00,000 COVID-19 related deaths; curbs to be eased 'soon' despite 5th wave warning

Firstpost  

While the government would not enforce vaccination, the new health regulations still make provision for employers to insist on staff being vaccinated to continue working in their offices Johannesburg: South Africa has surpassed the 1,00,000-mark in COVID-19 related deaths, but the government still plans to end the lockdown restrictions “soon”, despite scientists’ warnings that a fifth wave is imminent next …

2 years into pandemic, world takes cautious steps forward
2 years, 9 months ago

2 years into pandemic, world takes cautious steps forward

Associated Press  

PORTLAND, Ore. — With COVID-19 case numbers plummeting, Emily Safrin did something she hadn’t done since the pandemic began two years ago: She put her fears aside and went to a concert. “Everyone was supposed to be vaccinated or have a negative test, and I said, ‘What the heck, I’m just gonna live my life,’” Safrin said of her concert …

COVID pandemic’s ‘acute phase’ could end by midyear: WHO
2 years, 10 months ago

COVID pandemic’s ‘acute phase’ could end by midyear: WHO

Al Jazeera  

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the acute phase of the pandemic could end by the middle of the year if about 70 percent of the world gets jabbed. The head of the World Health Organization has said the acute phase of the pandemic could end this year, if about 70 percent of the world gets vaccinated. “Our expectation is …

Africa transitioning out of pandemic phase of COVID: WHO
2 years, 10 months ago

Africa transitioning out of pandemic phase of COVID: WHO

Al Jazeera  

The head of WHO Africa says the continent is transitioning to a phase of managing the virus in the long term. “Against the odds, including huge inequities in access to vaccinations, we’ve weathered the COVID-19 storm with resilience and determination.” Moeti’s optimism contrasts sharply with the warnings from WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has said repeatedly the pandemic is …

Africa CDC director urges youths to boost COVID vaccinations
2 years, 10 months ago

Africa CDC director urges youths to boost COVID vaccinations

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — Africa’s top health official is launching a campaign to enlist young people to encourage vaccinations, as just 11.3% of the continent’s 1.3 billion people are vaccinated against COVID-19. Youths will be encouraged “to play an active role” in ramping up inoculations across the continent where the vaccination rate is far below other regions in the world, Africa …

Africa CDC: Continent on course to vaccinate 70% this year
2 years, 10 months ago

Africa CDC: Continent on course to vaccinate 70% this year

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — The African continent is on course to reach its target of vaccinating at least 70% of its population against COVID-19 by the end of 2022, the head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters on Thursday. The continental public health agency said it has been encouraged by a surge in vaccinations in countries like …

Europe could be headed for pandemic ’endgame’: WHO
2 years, 11 months ago

Europe could be headed for pandemic ’endgame’: WHO

Live Mint  

The Omicron variant has moved the Covid-19 pandemic into a new phase and could bring it to an end in Europe, the WHO Europe director said Sunday. "It's plausible that the region is moving towards a kind of pandemic endgame," Hans Kluge told AFP in an interview, adding that Omicron could infect 60 percent of Europeans by March. "We anticipate …

It is time for Africa to focus on getting vaccines in arms
2 years, 11 months ago

It is time for Africa to focus on getting vaccines in arms

Al Jazeera  

Rates of vaccination against COVID-19 are still disappointingly low in Africa, with just around 8 percent of the continent’s population fully vaccinated against the disease. Indeed, high-income countries have been hoarding vaccines, most recently for third “booster” doses, leaving low-income countries, including many in Africa, unable to access enough doses even for their most vulnerable populations and frontline health workers. …

COVID-19 spike worsens Africa’s severe poverty, hunger woes
3 years ago

COVID-19 spike worsens Africa’s severe poverty, hunger woes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The ECA now warns that the economic effects already …

South Africa sees fewer hospitalisations as Omicron cases surge
3 years ago

South Africa sees fewer hospitalisations as Omicron cases surge

Al Jazeera  

Health officials say fewer coronavirus patients require hospitalisation despite a rise in the number of COVID-19 infections. COVID-19 infection rates are soaring across South Africa as a result of the highly mutated Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but fewer people have died or required hospital treatment compared with previous waves of the disease, according to health officials. The discovery of …

WHO: Africa might miss 70% vaccination goal until late 2024
3 years ago

WHO: Africa might miss 70% vaccination goal until late 2024

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — The African continent might not reach the target of vaccinating 70% of its 1.3 billion population against COVID-19 until the second half of 2024, a target many of the world’s richer countries have already met, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. Health officials in South Africa, which first announced the variant, say early data indicate it causes …

Africa CDC: Nations might turn to COVID-19 vaccine mandates
3 years ago

Africa CDC: Nations might turn to COVID-19 vaccine mandates

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — African governments might have to resort to COVID-19 vaccine mandates if their citizens don’t hurry to get the increasingly available doses, the director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. The warning by John Nkengasong to reporters that governments “will not have a choice” came as the flow of doses to Africa’s 54 …

Covid-19: The world has the tools to end the pandemic. They’re not being used properly
3 years ago

Covid-19: The world has the tools to end the pandemic. They’re not being used properly

CNN  

London CNN — The Covid-19 pandemic will not last forever. “This is the major issue: There was never a plan, there still isn’t a plan at a global level,” said Andrea Taylor, assistant director of programs at the Duke Global Health Institute. “It isn’t just pockets – huge swathes of the world have unacceptably low vaccine coverage,” Taylor said. “It’s …

Doctor: Many South Africans ill in surge have mild symptoms
3 years ago

Doctor: Many South Africans ill in surge have mild symptoms

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy South Africa's rapid increase in …

Africa CDC says 11 countries on continent facing a 4th COVID-19 wave
3 years ago

Africa CDC says 11 countries on continent facing a 4th COVID-19 wave

China Daily  

People wait before receiving the vaccine against coronavirus disease at a mass immunization venue inside Cairo University, in Cairo, Egypt, Sept 8, 2021. The fourth wave of the pandemic is currently gripping countries including Algeria, Egypt, Kenya and Tunisia, Africa CDC head John Nkengasong said on Thursday. The continent has seen an average 6 percent decrease in new COVID-19 cases …

What do we know about the new COVID strain found in South Africa?
3 years ago

What do we know about the new COVID strain found in South Africa?

Al Jazeera  

The discovery of new variant with a high number of mutations raises concerns about COVID-19 transmissions, triggering travel restrictions. A new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa with a high number of mutations has raised concerns among scientists and triggered travel restrictions by a number of countries amid fears of coronavirus transmissions. South Africa Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the …

Scientists are mystified, and wary, as Africa avoids COVID-19 disaster
3 years, 1 month ago

Scientists are mystified, and wary, as Africa avoids COVID-19 disaster

LA Times  

At a busy market in a poor township outside Harare, Nyasha Ndou kept his mask in his pocket as hundreds of other people, mostly unmasked, jostled to buy and sell fruits and vegetables displayed on wooden tables and plastic sheets. “The police demand bribes, so I lose money if I don’t move around with a mask.” Days earlier, Zimbabwe recorded …

Syringe shortfall threatens Africa’s COVID vaccine drive
3 years, 1 month ago

Syringe shortfall threatens Africa’s COVID vaccine drive

Al Jazeera  

UNICEF is predicting an ‘imminent shortfall’ of up to 2.2 billion of the single-use syringes used to give jabs. Africa’s struggle to inoculate people against COVID-19 risks being hobbled by a shortage of syringes just as supplies of vaccines flood into the continent, the World Health Organization said. UNICEF, the United Nation’s fund for children, is predicting an “imminent shortfall” …

South Africa launches drive to vaccinate 500,000 in 2 days
3 years, 2 months ago

South Africa launches drive to vaccinate 500,000 in 2 days

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa launched a new COVID-19 vaccination drive Friday and will try to give doses to 500,000 people in two days to reinvigorate a flagging campaign that’s coming up against hesitancy and complacency in the continent’s worst-affected country. Ramaphosa is attempting to entice people to get shots by tying vaccination rates to a return to …

''Vaccine apartheid'': Africans tell UN they need vaccines
3 years, 3 months ago

''Vaccine apartheid'': Africans tell UN they need vaccines

The Hindu  

As wealthy countries begin to consider whether to offer their populations a third COVID-19 shot, African nations still waiting for their first have given this as a stark reminder to world leaders at the UN General Assembly: “No one is safe unless we are all safe.” That message was repeated throughout the day as the inequity of vaccine distribution came …

‘Vaccine apartheid': Africans tell UN they need vaccines
3 years, 3 months ago

‘Vaccine apartheid': Africans tell UN they need vaccines

Associated Press  

As wealthy countries begin to consider whether to offer their populations a third COVID-19 shot, African nations still waiting for their first gave this stark reminder to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday: “No one is safe unless we are all safe.” That message was repeated throughout the day as the inequity of vaccine distribution came into …

WHO: COVID-19 vaccination triples in Africa but still low
3 years, 3 months ago

WHO: COVID-19 vaccination triples in Africa but still low

Al Jazeera  

Africa CDC head says less than 3 percent of continent’s population have been vaccinated and blames vaccine inequality. COVID-19 vaccinations in Africa have tripled during the past week, though protecting even 10 percent of the continent by the end of September remains “a very daunting task,” the Africa director of the World Health Organization has said. The WHO Africa director …

To boost vaccinations, South Africa opens jabs to all adults
3 years, 4 months ago

To boost vaccinations, South Africa opens jabs to all adults

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — At the busy taxi stand near Soweto’s Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, a health worker with a megaphone called out to commuters, calling them to come and get a COVID-19 vaccination. “Our main purpose is to reach out to the taxi drivers, the commuters and the hawkers that are found within this area.” Faced with slowing numbers of people …

Charity alone will not end the calamity of COVID-19 in Africa
3 years, 4 months ago

Charity alone will not end the calamity of COVID-19 in Africa

Al Jazeera  

In the absence of vaccines, accountability, rather than charity, may be the continent’s best route out of the pandemic. Just in the past week, in an article published in Nature, Dr Mosoka Fallah, deputy director for technical services in the National Public Health Institute of Liberia, said “mass fatalities from COVID-19 have begun in Africa” and “the wealthy world must …

How Covid Pandemic Has Left Millions of Children Without Routine Vaccines, Study Shows
3 years, 5 months ago

How Covid Pandemic Has Left Millions of Children Without Routine Vaccines, Study Shows

News 18  

Immunisation is key to child survival and is cost effective in protecting their lives. But with the looming threat of Covid-19 pandemic, 23 million children globally missed out routine immunisation last year. According to benefit–risk analysis of health benefits versus excess risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Africa, ‘for every one excess COVID-19 death attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infections acquired during routine …

Africa on 'destructive pathway' due to Delta variant, says WHO amid record surge
3 years, 5 months ago

Africa on 'destructive pathway' due to Delta variant, says WHO amid record surge

Hindustan Times  

African is witnessing an unprecedented resurgence of coronavirus disease cases as the third wave of the pandemic continues its “destructive pathway” in the continent, the World Health Organization said on Thursday. This week, Africa reached the sombre milestone of six million Covid-19 cases amid a low vaccination rate. “We’ve seen hospital admissions in around 10 countries increase rapidly and at …

South Africa announces sweeping coronavirus rules in face of variant-driven third wave
3 years, 5 months ago

South Africa announces sweeping coronavirus rules in face of variant-driven third wave

LA Times  

Members of the Tshwane Special Infectious Unit on COVID-19 pick up a suspected COVID-19 patient in Pretoria, South Africa, during the country’s second wave of coronavirus infections on Jan. 15. South Africa is imposing a sweeping set of new coronavirus restrictions as the country faces a third, variant-driven wave of infection that threatens to outpace the previous two. “The peak …

‘This IS INSANE': Africa desperately short of COVID vaccine
3 years, 6 months ago

‘This IS INSANE': Africa desperately short of COVID vaccine

Associated Press  

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — In the global race to vaccinate people against COVID-19, Africa is tragically at the back of the pack. “It is extremely concerning and at times frustrating,” said Africa CDC Director Dr. John Nkengasong, a Cameroonian virologist who is trying to ensure some of the world’s poorest nations get a fair share of vaccines in a …

Africa faces ‘rising threat’ of a COVID third wave: WHO
3 years, 6 months ago

Africa faces ‘rising threat’ of a COVID third wave: WHO

Al Jazeera  

The UN health agency warns coronavirus cases are surging in many countries on the continent. Healthcare systems across Africa are “far from ready” to cope with a fresh surge of coronavirus infections, with vaccine deliveries at a near standstill and cases surging in many countries, the World Health Organization has warned. “Many African hospitals and clinics are still far from …

As COVID-19 collides with HIV/AIDS, the pandemic may be taking an ominous turn
3 years, 6 months ago

As COVID-19 collides with HIV/AIDS, the pandemic may be taking an ominous turn

LA Times  

A nurse talks to a patient who is HIV-positive in Ngodwana, South Africa. While the South African patient was diagnosed with HIV back in 2006, doctors had been unable to control her viral load with standard antiretroviral therapy, and her immune system’s population of CD4+ T cells — which may play a role in clearing coronavirus infection — were very …

South Africa to vaccinate athletes ahead of Tokyo Olympic games
3 years, 6 months ago

South Africa to vaccinate athletes ahead of Tokyo Olympic games

The Hindu  

South African athletes due to participate in this year's Tokyo Olympics will receive COVID-19 shots during a vaccination rollout that has so far prioritised the elderly and frontline workers, the country's medicine authority said on Tuesday. READ: In a statement, the South African Medical Research Council said it had been granted permission by the Health Product Regulatory Authority to make …

Essential to help Africa fight the virus
3 years, 7 months ago

Essential to help Africa fight the virus

China Daily  

With the global economy hamstrung by the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa's development has been crippled. As far as the fight against the novel coronavirus is concerned, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the meeting that the limited supply and access to vaccines is hampering and delaying Africa's recovery from the pandemic. If developed countries just look on and let the pandemic further …

India Like Covid Storm Could 'Happen Anywhere': WHO Tells European Countries to Not Relax Measures
3 years, 7 months ago

India Like Covid Storm Could 'Happen Anywhere': WHO Tells European Countries to Not Relax Measures

News 18  

The World Health Organization issued a stark warning to European nations Thursday, saying that relaxing Covid measures could spark a “perfect storm” allowing cases to spiral — as seen in India. “When personal protective measures are being relaxed, when there are mass gatherings, when there are more contagious variants and the vaccination coverage is still low this can create a …

Alarm grows in Africa as it watches India’s COVID-19 crisis
3 years, 7 months ago

Alarm grows in Africa as it watches India’s COVID-19 crisis

Associated Press  

NAIROBI, Kenya — Africa is “watching with total disbelief” as India struggles with a devastating resurgence in COVID-19 cases, the continent’s top public health official said Thursday, as African officials worry about delays in vaccine deliveries caused by India’s crisis. “What is happening in India cannot be ignored by our continent,” he said, and urged African countries to avoid mass …

India going through same COVID crisis as UK, Europe did earlier: South Africa health minister
3 years, 7 months ago

India going through same COVID crisis as UK, Europe did earlier: South Africa health minister

India TV News  

The current COVID-19 crisis of a huge number of daily infections in India is something that has already happened elsewhere in the world, South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said here. "What we have learned from our side is that we went through the second wave without any vaccines and we managed to get our numbers down because of our …

Over 780 mn COVID-19 vaccine shots administered globally, but pandemic far from over, says WHO chief
3 years, 8 months ago

Over 780 mn COVID-19 vaccine shots administered globally, but pandemic far from over, says WHO chief

Firstpost  

United Nations: Even though more than 780 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered globally, the pandemic is “long way from over” but it can be brought under control in months with proven public health measures, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said. Speaking to reporters in Geneva, he said while more than 780 million doses of vaccine …

Africa’s second coronavirus wave was much worse than the first
3 years, 9 months ago

Africa’s second coronavirus wave was much worse than the first

CNN  

CNN — The second wave of the coronavirus pandemic has hit Africa much harder than the first wave, a new analysis has shown. The data showed that while an average of 18,273 daily new cases were being reported across the continent during the first peak of the epidemic in mid-July, this number rose to an average of 23,790 by the …

Discover Related