One in Four African Health Worker had Covid Vaccine

The World Health Organization says only one in four health workers in Africa has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, leaving the bulk of the workforce on the front lines of the pandemic dangerously exposed.

It says “in contrast a global study of high-income countries reported that over 80% of health and care workers were fully vaccinated.”

The WHO’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, called for countries to urgently speed up the rollout of vaccines to health workers.

She warned a new “surge in cases was looming due to the end of year festive season.”

All countries in Africa say they prioritised health workers in their vaccination plans.

The WHO says supply to Africa has increased and said some of the low coverage was down to vaccine hesitancy.

BBC/Shakirat Sadiq