Markets rocked as US says Israel has struck Iran    Israel carries out strike inside Iran, US says as region braces for further escalation Explosions heard near military base    7,700 commercial disputes resolved via Taradhi platform, says Ministry of Justice    Dhul Qadah 29 is the last day for Umrah pilgrims to leave the Kingdom 90-day duration of visa begins from the date of entering the Kingdom; Hajj Ministry clarifies    'Saudi hospitality sector to generate SR42 billion investments and 120,000 jobs by 2030'    Chinese workers disagree with West over mass production claims    IMF forecast: Saudi economy to record 2nd highest global growth rate in 2025    Centuries-old defensive moat and fortification wall unearthed in Historic Jeddah    EU's Josep Borrell warns Middle East 'on edge of regional war'    Indonesia issues tsunami alert after volcano erupts on remote island    US Senate kills the articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas    Poignant shot from Gaza wins World Press Photo of the Year 2024    Al Ain ends Al Hilal's record streak with a 4-2 win in AFC Champions League semi-final    Saudi Pro League postpones Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ahli match; Al-Ahli rejects rescheduling    50% traffic fine reduction takes effect    'Zarqa Al Yamama': Tickets now available for Saudi Arabia's first opera premiering April 25    AFC postpones Al Ain vs Al Hilal semi-final match due to weather conditions    Turki Alalshikh announces groundbreaking 5 vs 5 Riyadh Season bout featuring international boxing stars    Diriyah Biennale Foundation announces shortlist for AlMusalla Prize, set to revolutionize musalla architecture    Fourth Gulf Film Festival kicks off in Riyadh, scaling up Saudi movie industry Event extends over 5 days with the screening of 29 diverse films    JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over hate crime law    Trump's Bible endorsement raises concern in Christian religious circles    Hollywood icon Will Smith shares his profound admiration for Holy Qur'an    We have celebrated Founding Day for three years - but it has been with us for 300    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



African nations far from ready for COVID-19 vaccination drive: WHO
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 27 - 11 - 2020

As efforts to find a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 are showing increasing promise, the African continent is "far from ready" to roll out what will be its largest-ever immunization drive, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.
Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa highlighted the importance of strong planning and preparation for successful inoculations against COVID-19.
"The largest immunization drive in Africa's history is right around the corner, and African governments must urgently ramp up readiness. Planning and preparation will make or break this unprecedented endeavor," she said.
"We need active leadership and engagement from the highest levels of government with solid, comprehensive national coordination plans and systems put in place," added Dr. Moeti.
The call came as a new WHO analysis revealed that vaccination program readiness in Africa is lagging.
According to the analysis, based on countries' self-reporting, the African region has an average score of 33 percent readiness for a COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, which is well below the desired benchmark of 80 percent.
WHO, together with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation, and other partners, is working to ensure equitable access to vaccines in Africa through the COVAX facility, the vaccines pillar of the WHO Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator. When vaccines are licensed and approved, COVAX will work to secure enough doses to provide protection to an initial 20 percent of the African population, said WHO.
However, only 49 percent have identified priority populations for vaccination and have plans in place to reach them, 44 percent have coordination structures in place, according to WHO analysis. In addition, 24 percent have adequate plans for resources and funding, 17 percent have data collection and monitoring tools ready, and only 12 percent have plans to communicate with communities to build trust and drive demand for immunization.
Dr. Moeti, underscored that developing a safe and effective vaccine "is just the first step in a successful rollout".
"If communities are not on-board and convinced that a vaccine will protect their health, we will make little headway. It's critical that countries reach out to communities and hear their concerns and give them a voice in the process," she added.
WHO has provided its Vaccine Readiness Assessment Tool to all 47 countries in its African Region. The Tool, for use by Ministries of Health, provides a roadmap to plan for COVID-19 vaccine introduction and covers ten key areas, from planning and funding, to training, monitoring, and community engagement.
The UN agency and its partners also issued guidance on COVID-19 vaccination planning and deployment for governments, to help them design strategies for the deployment, implementation, and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines and better integrate their strategies and financing to boost efficiency. — UN news


Clic here to read the story from its source.