Africa at risk due to extreme vaccine discrimination – report

Africa at Risk Due to Extreme Vaccine Discrimination – Report

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to its knees, and Africa is no exception. The continent has been hit hard by the virus, with over 4.5 million confirmed cases and over 120,000 deaths. However, the situation is made worse by the extreme vaccine discrimination that is taking place.

According to a report by the People’s Vaccine Alliance, a coalition of organizations including Oxfam and Amnesty International, rich countries are hoarding vaccines, leaving poorer countries like those in Africa struggling to access them. The report states that just 10 countries have administered 75% of all COVID-19 vaccines, while over 130 countries have not received a single dose.

This extreme vaccine discrimination is putting Africa at risk. The continent is already facing a number of challenges in its fight against COVID-19, including weak health systems, poverty, and conflict. Without access to vaccines, the situation is likely to get worse.

The report also highlights the fact that pharmaceutical companies are prioritizing profits over people. They are charging high prices for vaccines, making it difficult for poorer countries to afford them. This is despite the fact that many of these vaccines were developed with public funding.

The People’s Vaccine Alliance is calling for a number of actions to be taken to address this issue. These include:

– Pharmaceutical companies should share their technology and intellectual property to allow for the production of generic vaccines.
– Rich countries should stop hoarding vaccines and instead support the COVAX initiative, which aims to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all countries.
– Governments should invest in public health systems to ensure that they are able to respond to future pandemics.

It is clear that extreme vaccine discrimination is a major threat to Africa’s fight against COVID-19. The world must come together to ensure that vaccines are distributed fairly and that all countries have access to them. Failure to do so will not only put Africa at risk but also the rest of the world.