Congo to lose 1.3 mln COVID-19 shots after delay in distribution
Congo’s health authorities are reallocating around 75% of 1.7 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses to other African countries to make sure they’re used before they expire.
A UNICEF representative said Congo received the doses from the COVAX vaccine sharing facility on March 2, but delayed the rollout after several European countries suspended use of the AstraZeneca shot in response to reports of rare blood clots.
The country began its vaccination campaign on April 19, but had administered doses to just 1,265 people out of its population of over 85 million as of Saturday.
The senior health specialist for the U.N. children’s agency (UNICEF) in West and Central Africa, Susie Villeneuve said 1.3 million of its remaining doses will now be sent to countries including Ghana, Senegal and Togo to ensure they are used before their expiry date June 24.
“Process to re-allocate these doses to other countries in Africa is underway.”
Many African countries face challenges rolling out large-scale vaccination campaigns despite their experience battling deadly infectious diseases.
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Kamila/Reuters
