1. COVID-19 vaccine inequity in African low-income countries.
- Author
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Kunyenje CA, Chirwa GC, Mboma SM, Ng'ambi W, Mnjowe E, Nkhoma D, Ngwira LG, Chawani MS, Chilima B, Mitambo C, Crampin A, and Mfutso-Bengo J
- Subjects
- Humans, Africa, Developing Countries, COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID-19 prevention & control, COVID-19 Vaccines administration & dosage, Healthcare Disparities
- Abstract
Equitable access and utilization of the COVID-19 vaccine is the main exit strategy from the pandemic. This paper used proceedings from the Second Extraordinary Think-Tank conference, which was held by the Health Economics and Policy Unit at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in collaboration with the Malawi Ministry of Health, complemented by a review of literature. We found disparities in COVID-19 vaccine coverage among low-income countries. This is also the case among high income countries. The disparities are driven mainly by insufficient supply, inequitable distribution, limited production of the vaccine in low-income countries, weak health systems, high vaccine hesitancy, and vaccine misconceptions. COVID-19 vaccine inequity continues to affect the entire world with the ongoing risks of emergence of new COVID-19 variants, increased morbidity and mortality and social and economic disruptions. In order to reduce the COVID-19 vaccination inequality in low-income countries, there is need to expand COVAX facility, waive intellectual property rights, transform knowledge and technology acquired into vaccines, and conduct mass COVID-19 vaccination campaigns., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Kunyenje, Chirwa, Mboma, Ng'ambi, Mnjowe, Nkhoma, Ngwira, Chawani, Chilima, Mitambo, Crampin and Mfutso-Bengo.)
- Published
- 2023
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