The European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said that the bloc is not willing to share coronavirus vaccines with poorer countries including those in Africa.
According to Ursula von der Leyen the EU cannot share what it has for now until it has “a better production situation.”
She told Germany’s Funke Media Group on Sunday that “There is quite a bit of pressure on member states to obtain the vaccine for themselves.”
Von der Leyen, however said the EU would support the World Health Organization’s COVAX initiative, which is intended to support developing countries secure vaccines.
So far over 20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been delivered to several countries especially in Africa.
“The EU has invested €2.2 billion ($2.6 billion) in this initiative. COVAX has already delivered 30 million doses of vaccine to 52 countries,” Leyen said.
Under the Covax initiative African countries have received millions of doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
The vaccine came under scrutiny this mother after several European countries suspended use of the jab, although some have resumed administering it.
The countries were seeking further clarification on the safety of the vaccine after reports of blood clots in some receivers.
But the UK and European health officials say the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is safe.
African governments though were urged not to lose faith in Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine.
African nations rely on the AstraZeneca jab since it is cheaper and easier to store than other vaccines.
Dr Richard Mihigo – the WHO’s head of immunisation in Africa – said the product had so far proved to be safe.
Africa has no option but to keep faith with AstraZeneca jabs
Source: Africafeeds.com
