(FILES) A file photo taken on February 12, 2021 shows a vial containing the Covid-19 vaccine by AstraZeneca and a syringe displayed on a table in the pharmacy of the vaccination center at the Robert Bosch hospital in Stuttgart, southern Germany. - The World Health Organization gave emergency use approval to AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccines on February 15, 2021, allowing distribution to some of the world's poorest countries to begin. "The WHO today listed two versions of the AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving the green light for these vaccines to be rolled out globally through Covax," a WHO statement said, referring to the programme aimed at equitable distribution of inoculations. (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty Images)

AU approves emergency use of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine

On Feb 25, 2021

The African Union, AU has authorised the AstraZeneca/Oxford coronavirus vaccine for emergency use.

The Director, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr John Nkengasong made this known on Thursday.

“The Africa Centres for Disease Control regulatory task force has now approved the emergency listing of two versions of AstraZeneca vaccines: the Oxford vaccine, that is the one produced in South Korea, and the second in India,” Nkengasong said.

He said the work was underway to ensure safe vaccination across the region.

“We continue to work with countries to support them on safe vaccination administration. Very important training on Covid-19 vaccination by Africa CDC will be starting very, very soon,” Nkengasong stated.

Earlier in February, the centre recommended against using the AstraZeneca vaccine in those member states that have reported coronavirus cases of the South African variant, after the shot showed its limited efficacy against the strain.

“Similarly, the expert committee of the Africa CDC is set to review Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in the coming days and make a statement regarding its use on the continent.

“Yes, we did reach out to these countries. The Russian Gamaleya group that produces Sputnik V vaccine has submitted its full dossiers.

“I’m pleased to state that in the coming days, hopefully next week, the panel will come together and start discussing,” Nkengasong said.

On Feb. 19, the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, AVATT, which was set up by the AU with the aim to immunise 60 per cent of the continental population, said that Russia had offered 300 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine to the AU.

According to the health officials, AVATT will hold a meeting with the Sputnik V manufacturer to discuss all the details after which the expert committee will review the dossiers and make a pronouncement on them.

“The vaccines, the 300 million does that have been agreed on, will be made available on the platform. Making them available doesn’t mean that we have purchased them. It means that countries can go through the platform and place their orders once we have given endorsement to that product,” Nkengasong added.

AVATT earlier secured more than 270 million doses of AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson&Johnson vaccines.

NAN/Confidence Okwuchi