A task force established by the African Union announced on 13 January 2021 that a total of 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been secured for African countries, with at least 50 million shots available from April to June 2021, CNN reported on Thursday.
According to a news release by the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), these vaccines will be from Pfizer, AstraZeneca (through Serum Institute of India) and Johnson & Johnson.
Chair of the African Union and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa was quoted as saying: "From the onset of this pandemic, our focus as a continent has been on collaboration and collective effort. We have held steadfastly to the principle that no country should be left behind."
All 270 million vaccine doses will be made available this year, Ramaphosa added.
Reportedly, these vaccines have been secured alongside a vaccine programme from COVAX, a World Health Organization and Gavi Vaccine Alliance initiative that aims to provide worldwide access to effective COVID-19 vaccines.
However, Ramaphosa said that while the initiative was "vital" it may "not extend beyond the needs of frontline health care workers, and may thus not be enough to contain the ever-increasing toll of the pandemic in Africa."
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