Getting the Covid-19 vaccine to Africa

Can the residents afford the Vaccine? Covid-19 cases in Africa surpassed the 20 million mark. Even with more than 10 million recoveries registered, a vaccine is needed to prevent a further spread of the virus. Moreover, the economic impact of the virus in Kenya is even far much reaching. While many African governments prioritizes lives, residents puts livelihood first. They have to get out there to fetch food for their loved ones. In South Africa more than 3 million people have lost their jobs. Over one million jobs have been lost in Kenya. The United Nations Development program estimates that Africa will loose half the number of jobs it had before it registered its first COVID-19 case.

The big question is if African residents will be able to afford these vaccines when they are out? The answer is no, unless they go for cheap or subsidized vaccines. African countries are also relying on World organization bodies to ensure they are not left out in getting the vaccine. Therefore it will take more time before all their residents get a vaccine against the virus.  Many African governments are relying on donor funding for the vaccine.  All COVID-19 candidates Vaccine will be expensive for African countries to afford. Not to mention some of them will require double or even more doses.

Moderna is one of the companies leading a race to the manufacture of a vaccine. They have made deals ranging from $32 and $37 per dose.  Pfizer vaccine is estimated to cost $20 per dose. Sinophram‘s vaccine will cost $145 for a two dose regimen. South Africa and Botswana are the only countries that have said to afford a vaccine costing $3 per dose.  The good news is that WHO is tracking more than 170 candidate vaccine. That brings a sigh of relief that some companies will have to sell at reduced price to Africa.

By Samson Ogaye

Africa Global News Publication