Rich nations would do better to send vaccines to Africa to help fight the global COVID-19 pandemic, rather than hoarding them for third-dose booster shots that scientific evidence does not back, the African Union's top health official said
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention director John Nkengasong told a news conference he was baffled some rich countries were disregarding World Health Organization advice to hold off from booster shots until more people were fully vaccinated worldwide.
Wealthy countries such as Germany, France and Israel are planning to administer third shots, over concerns that immunity from the standard two-shot regimen is waning."We do not know at what point immunity drops to a level at which it stops offering ," Nkengasong said. "Without , you'll surely be gambling."
Later on Thursday, WHO's Africa head Matshidiso Moeti reiterated calls for "wealthy countries with vaccines supplies that are well beyong their population's needs," to share them. Nkengasong said third shot programmes would make it hard for Africa to meet its target for vaccinating 60% to 70% of people, for which it needed at least 1.6 billion doses.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Despite Desperate Need, Africa Will Receive 25% Fewer Covid Vaccine Doses Than Anticipated, WHO SaysCOVAX recently delivered five million vaccine doses to Africa, but 15 million doses have been thrown away in the United States since March, according to the head of the WHO in Africa.
Read more »
Despite Desperate Need, Africa Will Receive 25% Fewer Covid Vaccine Doses Than Anticipated, WHO SaysCOVAX recently delivered five million vaccine doses to Africa, but 15 million doses have been thrown away in the United States since March, according to the head of the WHO in Africa.
Read more »
Despite Desperate Need, Africa Will Receive 25% Fewer Covid Vaccine Doses Than Anticipated, WHO SaysCOVAX recently delivered five million vaccine doses to Africa, but 15 million doses have been thrown away in the United States since March, according to the head of the WHO in Africa.
Read more »
These Are The Most Common COVID Booster Side EffectsA third dose of the coronavirus vaccine could cause symptoms on par with previous shots. Here's what to expect.
Read more »
United Airlines gives employees deadline: Get vaccine or face termination or unpaid leaveUnited Airlines says that more than half its employees who weren't vaccinated last month have gotten their shots since the company announced that vaccines...
Read more »