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WHO Regional Office for Africa

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    • Coronavirus: Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake increases by 15%
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Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Coronavirus: Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake increases by 15%

A mass vaccination campaign in Ethiopia, for instance, pushed up the number of doses administered by 136% between 23 January and 6 March 2022

Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine uptake rose by 15% between January and February as several countries embarked on mass vaccination drives to expand coverage and protect populations against the adverse health impacts of the virus. Around 62 million doses were administered across the continent in February up from 54 million in January.…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

COVID-19 cases in Africa to top 4 million, vaccine rollout underway

Following a second wave which peaked at much higher numbers than Africa’s first surge, new case numbers declined for five weeks, and then plateaued during the past three weeks

Africa is poised to surpass 4 million COVID-19 infections this week since the continent’s first confirmed case in February 2020. The year-long battle against the virus, which has also claimed over 106 000 lives, is now receiving a crucial boost with the arrival of vaccines through the COVAX Facility –…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

African Island States Launch Joint Medicines Procurement Initiative

High cost of drugs and medical supplies is one of the major challenges the small island states face due to their modest populations

Ministers of Health from seven small African island states today signed an agreement to jointly procure drugs and vaccines in a bid to improve quality and access to medicines and other health products. The ministers from Cabo Verde, Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sao Tome & Principe and Seychelles that form…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Coronavirus - Mauritius: Promoting and Protecting Breastfeeding for a better start in Life

The country aims at creating awareness among young people on the importance of breast feeding and its positive contribution to a healthier planet

Mauritius marked World Breastfeeding Week 2020 by an official ceremony performed by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Hon. Kailash Jagutpal on 06 August 2020 at the Victoria Hospital, Candos. In line with this year’s theme, the country aims at creating awareness among young people on the importance of breast…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Coronavirus: Africa records over 500 000 COVID-19 cases

Cases have more than doubled in 22 countries in the region over the past month

COVID-19 infections in Africa today surpassed 500 000, and there is concern as a growing number of countries are experiencing a sharp rise in cases. So far, in less than five months, the virus has claimed 11 959 lives, overtaking the 11 308 lives lost in the world’s worst Ebola outbreak in West…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Coronavirus - Africa: WHO urges strong COVID-19 safety measures as African countries to resume air travel

While open borders are vital for the free flow of goods and people, initial analysis by WHO found that lockdowns along with public health measures reduced the spread of COVID-19

As African countries begin to reopen borders and air spaces, it is crucial that governments take effective measures to mitigate the risk of a surge in infections due to the resumption of commercial flights and airport operations. Many African governments acted swiftly, implementing confinement and travel restrictions in the early…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Coronavirus: African innovators join the fight against COVID-19

All over the African Region, local innovators have moved decisively to address critical gaps in the response to the pandemic

On an overcast morning on the outskirts of the Kenyan city of Kisumu, which perches on the edge of Lake Victoria, a queue of commuters receives a spritz of hand sanitizer before boarding a minibus taxi, known locally as a matatu, to head into town. As soon as they’ve taken their…

WHO Regional Office for Africa
Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Coronavirus - Africa: WHO urges caution as countries in Africa ease lockdowns

Thirteen countries in sub-Saharan Africa implemented lockdowns along with other public health and social measures nation-wide, while ten more instigated partial lockdowns in hotspots

Three months after the first case of COVID-19 was detected in sub-Saharan Africa, the region has made progress in tackling the virus. Many countries implemented lockdowns and key public health measures early and these appear to have helped slow down the spread of the disease. However, there are concerns that…

WHO Regional Office for Africa

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    • Nine African Countries Agree to Begin Journey Towards Pooled Procurement to Increase Their Access to Affordable Life-Saving Vaccines
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Source: WHO Regional Office for Africa |

Nine African Countries Agree to Begin Journey Towards Pooled Procurement to Increase Their Access to Affordable Life-Saving Vaccines

Sharing information and ultimately pooling their orders will better leverage their individual purchasing power

Nine middle-income countries in Africa have agreed to work towards pooled procurement mechanisms by first sharing vital information on their vaccine purchasing practices, including the prices they pay and their suppliers. Sharing information and ultimately pooling their orders will better leverage their individual purchasing power and thus strengthen their vaccine…