Search

Background: Data on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness to support regional vaccine policy and practice are limited in Africa. Thus, this review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Africa. Methods: We systematically searched peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and case-control studies that reported on VE in Africa. We carried out a risk of bias assessment, and the findings of this review were synthesized and presented in a narrative form, including tables and figures. The synthesis was focused on COVID-19 VE against various levels of the disease condition and outcomes (infection, hospitalization or critical, and death), time points, and variants of concern. Results: A total of 13 studies, with a total sample size of 913,285 participants, were included in this review. The majority (8/13) of studies were from South Africa and 38.5% (5/13) were randomized clinical trials. The studies reported that a full dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had a VE of 100% against COVID-19 infection by Beta (B.1.351) and Delta variants and 96.7% against hospitalization by Delta variant. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine had VE ranging from 38.1%-62.0% against hospitalization and 51.9%- 86% against critical disease by Beta (B 1.351) variant. The Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine had a VE of 89.4% against hospitalization by the Omicron variant but was not effective against the B.1.351 variant (10.4%). The Sinopharm vaccine had a VE of 67% against infection and 46% against hospitalization by Delta variant. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccines administered in Africa were effective in preventing infections, hospitalization, and death. These review findings underscore the need for concerted efforts of all stakeholders to enhance the access and availability of COVID-19 vaccines and reinforce public awareness to reach the high-risk, unvaccinated group of the African population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article summarizes the outcomes and highlights of the second Africa HealthTech Summit, which focused on accelerating digital health transformation in Africa. The summit aimed to promote universal health coverage and strengthen pandemic preparedness through digital innovation. Key initiatives discussed included connecting health facilities and community health workers to the internet, implementing paperless primary care systems, improving diagnostics and surveillance, and enhancing supply chains. The summit also emphasized the importance of responsible development and use of digital technologies, as well as the role of communities and citizens in co-creating people-centered digital health solutions. Additionally, the article highlighted the launch of HealthConnekt Africa, the Africa Digital Health Index, and the Africa Digital Health Networks as tools to drive progress in digital health transformation. The summit underscored the need for collaborative and inclusive implementation of digital health strategies centered on human dignity. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the crucial role of human capital development in bio- and pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa. It highlights the need for a skilled and adaptable workforce to meet the goal of manufacturing 60% of vaccines used on the continent locally by 2040. The article emphasizes the importance of partnerships between educational institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, and research and development institutions. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities in developing a skilled workforce, including resource constraints and brain drain. The article concludes by emphasizing the transformative opportunity of investing in human capital to empower individuals, stimulate economic growth, and improve healthcare access in Africa. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the need for a new Pandemic Agreement to address the inequities and shortcomings in global health systems, particularly in Africa, that were exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently drafting this agreement, which aims to fill policy gaps in the International Health Regulation (IHR) and ensure equity worldwide. Key issues being negotiated include pathogen access and benefit sharing, research and development, financing, and technology transfer. The article emphasizes the importance of rapid sharing of pathogen data and equitable access to countermeasures for pandemic preparedness and response, particularly for low-income countries. It also highlights the need for robust governance, compliance management, and implementation systems in the agreement, while ensuring that African nations are not burdened by reporting bureaucracy. The article calls for inclusive governance, regional manufacturing, technology transfer, and research and development conditionalities to be included in the agreement. It emphasizes the relevance of the agreement for African countries and the importance of African leadership in achieving equitable and sustainable health security. The article concludes by stating that equity should be integrated into all parts of the agreement to prevent the wide health and economic implications of future global pandemics. The article also discusses the role of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa. It highlights the lessons learned from this experience and emphasizes the importance of African leadership in addressing public health threats. The authors argue that the Africa CDC's response to the [Extracted from the article]

Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.