Vaccine nationalism and African government deficiencies hinder roll-out

COVISHIELD dose PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
COVISHIELD dose PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

The African Union – mainly through its Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) – has done well in trying to acquire COVID-19 vaccines for the continent as part of its commendable approach to tackling the pandemic in general.

But Africa CDC Director, John Nkengasong isn’t getting as much help as he would like from the international community – or even from all African governments.

“We are seeing vaccine nationalism, explicitly and implicitly,” the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Chief Economist, Gita Gopinath warned on ITV recently. “We are seeing some countries who are way ahead in vaccinating the vast majority of their population, while even the most vulnerable in a whole bunch of countries haven’t gotten a single shot.”

Editor's Comment
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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