The World Health Organization announced on Tuesday that 14 African countries reached the goal of vaccinating 10% of their populations before the end of September.
Morocco dropped to the third ranking among these countries, after having been first in vaccination efforts in the continent.
According to the WHO, Seychelles is currently leading the vaccination drive in Africa, with 72% of its 97,625 population vaccinated.
Mauritius follows close behind with over 1 million doses administered and 55% of its population vaccinated.
As Africa’s third Covid-19 wave begins to subside, with new cases and deaths plummetting, experts continue to warn against the slow vaccine rollout in the continent.
A little over 3% of Africa’s population has been vaccinated so far, compared to around 54% in the US and 65% in the UK.
The World Health Organization says that the September target will not be achieved unless vaccine supplies to Africa improve.
As many countries begin pushing for booster vaccine shots for their populations, millions of Africans remain dangerously exposed.
“Booster shots would be better spent saving African lives,” said WHO African regional director Matshidiso Moeti in a New York Times op-ed, stating that reports of millions of doses being wasted in rich countries are “heartbreaking.”
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