The global effort to exchange Covid-19 vaccinations is failing to put more than 300 million doses, indicating that the problem with global vaccination is now more about demand than availability.
Last year, affluent nations snatched up the majority of available vaccines to inoculate their own populations first, resulting in fewer than a third of individuals in low-income countries having been vaccinated thus far, compared to more than 70 per cent in richer ones.
However, as supply and contributions have increased, poorer countries are encountering challenges like as gaps in cold-chain supplies, vaccination reluctance, and a lack of funds to support distribution networks, according to public health authorities.
According to a document issued in mid-February, COVAX, the global vaccination programme operated by Gavi and the World Health Organization (WHO), had 436 million vaccines to distribute to nations in January.
However, low-income countries only requested 100 million doses for distribution by the end of May, marking the first time in 14 allocation rounds that supply exceeded demand, according to the COVAX Independent Allocation of Vaccines Group document.
When asked for response, a Gavi spokeswoman stated that COVAX was currently in a position where there was adequate current supply to fulfil demand, but recognised that vaccine roll-out was a problem in numerous less developed countries.
"We will only close the vaccine equity gap once and for all if we are able to help countries roll out vaccines rapidly and at scale," the spokesperson said.
Vaccines not allocated by COVAX in this round may be allocated again later.
While wealthier nations are liberalising their economies, the WHO and other public health experts fear that the sluggish roll-out of vaccines in poorer places may allow the coronavirus to evolve again, perhaps creating new varieties.
The low demand for vaccinations in the January allotment is explained in part by recent supply increases. COVAX has already committed to delivering tens of millions of doses in the first quarter, and it delivered its billionth dosage in January.
Officials involved in vaccination distribution stated that this meant that nations were hesitant to accept extra doses that they would not be able to use.
Given their expertise dealing with fatal illnesses ranging from Ebola to malaria, African countries were expected to be able to provide billions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines. more info
However, two years into the epidemic, a study conducted by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in January on the equipment required to scale up vaccine delivery was perceived by Reuters as highlighting some of the problems.
It discovered "serious deficiencies" in 44 of the African Union's 55 member nations: 24 countries claimed they needed fridges, 18 needed deep freezers, 22 needed walk-in freezers, and 16 did not have enough walk-in cold rooms.
According to a UNICEF representative, more than 800 ultra-cold chain freezers and 52,000 refrigerators have already been given to over 70 countries.
"We are continuing to help countries identify and close cold chain capacity gaps as supply increases and governments adjust national-level vaccination targets in response," she said.
(Source:www.reuters.com)
Last year, affluent nations snatched up the majority of available vaccines to inoculate their own populations first, resulting in fewer than a third of individuals in low-income countries having been vaccinated thus far, compared to more than 70 per cent in richer ones.
However, as supply and contributions have increased, poorer countries are encountering challenges like as gaps in cold-chain supplies, vaccination reluctance, and a lack of funds to support distribution networks, according to public health authorities.
According to a document issued in mid-February, COVAX, the global vaccination programme operated by Gavi and the World Health Organization (WHO), had 436 million vaccines to distribute to nations in January.
However, low-income countries only requested 100 million doses for distribution by the end of May, marking the first time in 14 allocation rounds that supply exceeded demand, according to the COVAX Independent Allocation of Vaccines Group document.
When asked for response, a Gavi spokeswoman stated that COVAX was currently in a position where there was adequate current supply to fulfil demand, but recognised that vaccine roll-out was a problem in numerous less developed countries.
"We will only close the vaccine equity gap once and for all if we are able to help countries roll out vaccines rapidly and at scale," the spokesperson said.
Vaccines not allocated by COVAX in this round may be allocated again later.
While wealthier nations are liberalising their economies, the WHO and other public health experts fear that the sluggish roll-out of vaccines in poorer places may allow the coronavirus to evolve again, perhaps creating new varieties.
The low demand for vaccinations in the January allotment is explained in part by recent supply increases. COVAX has already committed to delivering tens of millions of doses in the first quarter, and it delivered its billionth dosage in January.
Officials involved in vaccination distribution stated that this meant that nations were hesitant to accept extra doses that they would not be able to use.
Given their expertise dealing with fatal illnesses ranging from Ebola to malaria, African countries were expected to be able to provide billions of doses of Covid-19 vaccines. more info
However, two years into the epidemic, a study conducted by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in January on the equipment required to scale up vaccine delivery was perceived by Reuters as highlighting some of the problems.
It discovered "serious deficiencies" in 44 of the African Union's 55 member nations: 24 countries claimed they needed fridges, 18 needed deep freezers, 22 needed walk-in freezers, and 16 did not have enough walk-in cold rooms.
According to a UNICEF representative, more than 800 ultra-cold chain freezers and 52,000 refrigerators have already been given to over 70 countries.
"We are continuing to help countries identify and close cold chain capacity gaps as supply increases and governments adjust national-level vaccination targets in response," she said.
(Source:www.reuters.com)