Africa's preparedness towards COVID-19 vaccines: Demand and acceptability challenges

Abstract

To date, the response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in many African countries has been quick, forward-looking and adjustable in spite of the continent's limited resources. These responses were triggered by the continuous increase in cases and deaths, which have necessitated speedy development of an effective vaccine. It is anticipated that African governments and public health officials will show more transparency, and provide evidence-based strategies to support COVID-19 vaccines and design equitable as well as effective vaccine delivery plans for the populace. To this end, this review analysed Africa's preparedness and response towards COVID-19 vaccines, potential demand, acceptability and distribution challenges related to the management of the virus. The review takes stock of context-specific vaccine preparedness; the demand for vaccine and associated challenges; vaccine accessibility and its distribution. The review offers insightful approaches and strategies by which African countries can maximize benefits from the COVID-19 vaccines to overcome the virus. These include the pursuance of vaccines that may help confer immunity or protection against the virus in the light of contextual circumstances of specific African countries, including sociocultural and economic issues among other factors.

Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Africa

“…Most importantly is that we should embark on using standard data collection tools while being prepared that responses to those tools may be different in different country contexts. Recent data show the way people behave around data in social media is different and is driven by different motives, i.e., the flavour of conspiracy theories around COVID-19 vaccines reflects the political concerns in that country, such as in Bangladesh and in Nigeria (Internews, 2021;Hagan, 2021).…”

“…Researchers argue that we need to learn from humanitarian evidence how to effectively manage time while balancing out qu ality with fast decision-making in rapidly evolving contexts (The CDAC Network, 2020). Researchers emphasize that the key to successful COVID-19 vaccine uptake is linked with the ability of decision makers to pivot rapidly based on the reality of the situation in each country (Hagan, 2021;Wolf, et al, 2020;Wiysonge, et al, 2022;Rajan, et al, 2022). This would necessitate building capacity within each country on effective management of time at every step of the COVID-19 vaccine journey.…”

Children and adolescents in African countries should also be vaccinated for COVID-19

“…shows the most widely used approved vaccines across each vaccine type 5. None of these vaccines are currently manufactured in any African country; however, participants in a few African countries have been enrolled in adult and, more recently, paediatric trials for these vaccines 4 6 7. Global, equitable access to safe and effective vaccines for all age groups is critical to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Tracer Pharmaceuticals Availability and Distribution Trends Prior to and During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study

“…5,6 African countries, in particular, lack the capacity, performance, and preparedness to respond to outbreaks while maintaining routine health services. 7 Having a knock-on effect on the prevention, diagnosis, care, and treatment of other diseases, better access to drugs and medical equipment may be compromised by the pandemic. 8 Owing to this, other infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria were pushed to the sidelines, despite they are still very real problems, particularly among the most vulnerable communities.…”

“… 5 , 6 African countries, in particular, lack the capacity, performance, and preparedness to respond to outbreaks while maintaining routine health services. 7 …”