The World Health Organization says the number of new COVID-19 cases stood at 11.9 million including 254 442 deaths as of 13 June 2022, in Africa.
Speaking during a virtual press conference facilitated by APO Group WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said the increase in the new number of cases in East and North Africa followed a sustained three-week decline.
She, therefore, called on Africa to intensify COVID-19 vaccination of high-risk population groups to achieve the 70% global target by the end of June.
Dr. Moeti stresses that protecting young people at high risk of COVID-19 is paramount, hence the need to focus on vaccinating older people, health workers, and other vulnerable populations in order to stay a step ahead of the virus.
“Nearly 50% of health workers and people over the age of 60 are fully vaccinated against the virus in countries reporting data to World Health Organization (WHO).
The data from June 2022 from 31 countries reporting on COVID-19 vaccinations of high-risk groups shows a significant increase compared with the end of December 2021 when only 33% of health workers and 10% of seniors were fully vaccinated. WHO recommends 90% vaccination coverage for health workers and 80% coverage for people over 60.
Having been beset by poor access to doses, costly delays, and shortfalls, Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination progress so far is no mean feat, Africa’s youthful population has helped the continent weather the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learning from the experience of HIV testing and treatment, provider-initiated COVID-19 vaccination should be offered in primary health care and in special units offering care to people with comorbidities such as HIV, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.
WHO and partners are focusing support on countries that risk falling behind. Fourteen African countries with less than 10% vaccination coverage are to receive multi-partner country support, with WHO stepping up efforts to strengthen the management of COVID-19 vaccination data in its assistance to these countries, many of which are also grappling with humanitarian crises and/or diseases outbreaks.”
