Delayed Access to COVID-19 Vaccines: A Perspective on Low-income Countries in Africa

Abstract

The development of COVID-19 vaccines was a landmark in the current efforts to contain the global pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2. Consequently, vaccine rollout and inoculation campaigns continue to progress steadily across the globe. However, “skewed” rollout, or the inequitable or delayed access to the vaccines encountered particularly by low-income countries in Africa, remains a source of great concern. This may negatively affect the continent and could lead to increased transmission, travel restrictions, further economic disruptions, and increased morbidity and mortality. Ultimately, these negative consequences could directly or indirectly hamper global efforts to defeat the pandemic. Access to COVID-19 vaccines is a global priority and provides a source of hope to bring the pandemic under control. High-income nations, national governments, donor agencies, and other relevant stakeholders must support the World Health Organization's COVAX initiative to ensure fair, rapid and equitable distribution of the vaccines to countries, irrespective of income level. This effort will rapidly bring the pandemic under control and impact the recovery of the global economy. Low-income nations in Africa must significantly invest in research, health care, vaccines, and drug development and must remain proactive in preparing against future pandemics. This review examines the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines with a focus on Africa.