Biden-Africa dose sharing announcement is good, more is desperately needed

WASHINGTON — The ONE Campaign issued the below statement today on the news that the Biden administration will soon ship 25 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Africa as the continent grapples with a devastating third wave of the virus. This week, the continent hit over 40,000 daily confirmed COVID-19 cases, and has the highest severe COVID-19 death rate in the world. Only roughly 1 percent of Africans have been fully vaccinated from COVID-19. 

Tom Hart, Acting CEO, The ONE Campaign:

“As many wealthy countries return to normal, Africa is returning to lockdown. Many of these cases and deaths could be prevented by one thing: access to vaccines. The Biden administration’s announcement is a good next step, but the reality is that Africa needs 200 million doses by the end of September to stem this crisis. 

“Nations that have locked up the global supply – principally G7 nations – must urgently share their excess to protect health care workers and the most vulnerable around the world. Until we see global coordination in stemming this global catastrophe, variants will continue to spread, cases will continue to rise, and more needless deaths will occur.”