The world is still struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic as the highly infectious Delta variant becomes predominant in several countries. At the same time, new variants, such as the Mu variant from Colombia, emerge because the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to mutate and evolve. Western countries have been trying hard to vaccinate at least 70 % of their population while emerging countries struggle to receive doses of Covid—19 vaccines. The African continent, home to more than 1.2 billion people, has only administered 2% of the total Covid-19 doses used worldwide, informs the WHO.
5.7 billion Covid-19 doses have been administered globally
According to WHO media briefing, only two African countries vaccinated 40% of its population, while others struggle to acquire vaccine doses or convince skeptical people to get the jabs. Vaccine equity should be a top priority because it is one of the best ways to end the Covid-19 pandemic. The virus mutates as it infects unvaccinated hosts, and the different resulting strains can be vaccine-resistant. While citizens from western countries benefit from the protection of the Covid-19 vaccines, others from emerging countries are in danger of dying or developing severe Covid019 cases due to the lack of vaccine supplies.
More on Covid-19 vaccine inequity
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, chief of the WHO, declared that vaccine inequity is a big reason why the virus keeps circulating and causing outbreaks. Economies and social life will continue to be disrupted, and to avoid the situation; vaccines need to be distributed to all continents and countries. However, vaccine inequity is a problem that has a solution. Therefore, he discussed with leaders of AVAT and COVAX to ensure that all countries have access to the much-needed Covid-19 vaccines.
At the same time, many countries have started administering a third dose of the Covid-19 vaccines or will start doing so this fall. The U.S and the U.K have already announced that third doses will become available, while Israel, France, and others have already started administering it.
