Earlier into the year 2020, the Corona pandemic hit the African continent. The spread of the virus was rapid in that within two months, almost all parts of Africa had reports of at least one case of coronavirus. Restrictions against the further spread of the virus were put in place. Lockdowns were enforced until towards the end of the year. Curfews were highly encouraged in almost every country with covid-19 cases. Nonetheless, scientists committed their resources to find a cure for this menace and salvage humanity globally. Over the month, fallacies concerning possible corona vaccines have emerged. It was not up until November that the Pfizer and BioNTech corona vaccines came about. The vaccine proved to be 90% effective. Later on, more vaccines were introduced, like the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Distribution of corona Vaccines to Africa
With a vast population of 1.3 billion people, Africa looks forward to obtaining its people’s virus. However, it seems to be a struggle for the African continent to acquire the vaccine. Economically advantaged states will be able to get the vaccine first hand. About a handful of African countries might be able to acquire the vaccines. Some days back, the china government had promised to prioritize African countries once the Vaccines were ready.
Hope for Africa
The AstraZeneca vaccine offers hope for most Africans. It is way cheaper than the Pfizer vaccine; it is also suitable for most African health facilities due to its not so complicated storage means. The continent already has 270 doses of the vaccine in the continent. The director of the African Union disease control and prevention department affirms the acquiring of the next dosage.
The health officials from Africa hope to vaccinate 60% of the total population in the coming three years. This year alone, the AU aims to reach 30-35% of the total population. Africa infections are not as prevalent as those from other continents. The whole continent has a total of roughly 3.5 million and only 88,000 deaths. A casualty record is less than those in the US, Brazil, India, Mexico, and Britain.
The AU expects 400 million AstraZeneca/Oxford University covid vaccines. The vaccine`s manufacture is from the Serum Institute of India. Moreover, 600 million vaccines with help from the World Health Organization are expected this year via the COVAX facility.
Tanzania discourages the use of the Vaccine.
Tanzania has for a year now survived without the coronavirus protective measures. According to the Tanzania president, John Pombe Magufuli, his country is corona free. Magufuli later advised his citizens to refrain from wearing masks and keeping social distance. The onset of the corona vaccine as well did not make the president happy.
Magufuli affirms that the vaccines are a way for the foreign country to introduce diseases into the content. He also views the vaccine as a plot for the foreign countries to rob Africa of its wealth. Being a religious man, he thus calls for his people to believe and trust in God. Meanwhile, alternative remedies like steam inhalation are at their disposal for use.
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