Africa is intensifying COVID-19 vaccination of high-risk population groups with some promising signs, as nearly 50% of health workers and people over the age of 60 are fully vaccinated against the virus in countries reporting data to the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the WHO, data from 31 countries reporting on COVID-19 vaccinations of high-risk groups in June 2022 show a significant increase compared with the end of December 2021 when only 33% of health workers and 10% of aged were fully vaccinated.

WHO recommends 90% vaccination coverage for health workers and 80% coverage for people over 60.

Only two African countries (Mauritius and Seychelles) have fully vaccinated 70% of their total population, according to data from the WHO. Rwanda is expected to achieve this target by the end of the month based on the pace of its current uptake, bringing to three, the number of countries in Africa reaching the 70% global target by the end of June, 2022.

However, Africa has a largely youthful demography, with 45% of the continent’s population under the age of 18. In a bid to use vaccines strategically, most countries are targeting their adult population.

The continent’s coverage of people over 18 years is estimated at 34%, significantly higher than the 18% full coverage in the general population. Nine countries have fully vaccinated more than 70% of their adult population, while 21 have reached more than 40% of adults, according to the WHO.

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, underscored that having been beset by poor access to doses, costly delays and shortfalls, Africa’s COVID-19 vaccination progress so far is no mean feat.

“Africa’s youthful population has helped the continent weather the COVID-19 pandemic. While protecting young people at high risk of COVID-19 is paramount, focusing efforts on vaccinating older people, health workers and other vulnerable populations will ensure we stay a step ahead of the virus”.
Dr Matshidiso Moeti

Need to focus on high-priority populations

WHO recommended that countries continue to focus on high-priority populations such as health workers, people with comorbidities and older people.

It also urged countries to diversify vaccination delivery strategies, combining vaccination in fixed health facility sites with efforts to take vaccination to the communities through mass vaccination campaigns and intensification of routine immunization activities.

To date, at least 31 countries have planned mass vaccination campaigns until the end of the year. During mass vaccination campaigns, WHO recommended that countries set up bespoke mobile teams for targeted vaccination of high-priority groups.

Learning from the experience of HIV testing and treatment, provider-initiated COVID-19 vaccination should be offered in primary health care and in special units offering care to people with comorbidities such as HIV, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, the WHO stated.

WHO and partners are focusing support on countries that risk falling behind. Fourteen African countries with less than 10% vaccination coverage are to receive multi-partner country support.

WHO is also stepping up efforts to strengthen the management of COVID-19 vaccination data in its assistance to these countries, many of which are also grappling with humanitarian crises and/or diseases outbreaks.

Over the past week, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Africa marginally increased following a sustained three-week decline. This slight uptick was due to the recent surge in cases reported in East and North Africa.

As of June 13, 2022, there were 11.9 million COVID-19 cases in Africa, including 254 442 deaths, Dr Moeti disclosed during a virtual press conference on Thursday, June 16, 2022 facilitated by APO Group.