Coronavirus: AU firms up plan to secure 270 million doses of vaccine

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The African Union’s Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) has secured 270 million doses of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for distribution to AU member states, the AU announced on Tuesday.

The acquisition of the vaccines has taken place as part of a vaccine strategy endorsed by African leaders in August 2020.

At least 50 million vaccines from this tranche will be available from April to June 2021, the AU said in a statement.

The vaccines will be supplied by Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, through the Serum Institute of India, and Johnson and Johnson. The African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) will be the main body supporting vaccine acquisitions by AU member states.

Africa is targeting 60 percent vaccination to achieve herd immunity. After receiving firm orders from member states through the African Medical Supplies Platform, Afreximbank will provide advance procurement commitment guarantees of up to US$ 2 billion to manufacturers on behalf of the member states.

On delivery, countries may pay using their internal resources, or access an instalment payment facility of up to 5 years offered by Afreximbank, the AU said.

"There is also close collaboration between the African Union team and the World Bank to ensure that member states are able to access US$5 billion either to buy more vaccines or to pay for delivery of vaccines committed on their behalf by Afreximbank," the AU explained.

At a press conference on 14 January, the AfricaCDC Director Dr John Nkengasong said AVATT’s acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines for AU member states will complement the efforts of the COVAX facility, and is a first step in reaching the targeted 60 percent vaccination goal in order to achieve herd immunity on the continent.

COVAX has pledged to supply 20 percent of Africa’s needs. Africa has a population of 1.2 billion people.

-0- PANA AO/AR 19Jan2021