Considerations for Establishing Successful Coronavirus Disease Vaccination Programs in Africa |
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| Authors: | Victor Williams Bassey Edem Marianne Calnan Kennedy Otwombe Charles Okeahalam |
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| Institution: | University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa (V. Williams, K. Otwombe);Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia (B. Edem);University Research Co., LLC, Manila, the Philippines (M. Calnan);University of the Witwatersrand Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Johannesburg (K. Otwombe);University of the Witwatersrand Graduate School for Business Administration, Johannesburg (C. Okeahalam) |
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| Abstract: | The accelerated development of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) candidate vaccines is intended to achieve worldwide immunity. Ensuring COVID-19 vaccination is crucial to stemming the pandemic, reclaiming everyday life, and helping restore economies. However, challenges exist to deploying these vaccines, especially in resource-limited sub-Saharan Africa. In this article, we highlight lessons learned from previous efforts to scale up vaccine distribution and offer considerations for policymakers and key stakeholders to use for successful COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Africa. These considerations range from improving weak infrastructure for managing data and identifying adverse events after immunization to considering financing options for overcoming the logistical challenges of vaccination campaigns and generating demand for vaccine uptake. In addition, providing COVID-19 vaccination can be used to promote the adoption of universal healthcare, especially in sub-Saharan Africa countries. |
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| Keywords: | Africa coronavirus disease COVID-19 COVID-19 vaccines disease control strategies disease transmission pandemics public health logistics respiratory infections SARS-CoV-2 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 sub-Saharan Africa vaccination coverage vaccination programs vaccinations zoonoses viruses |
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