This archive report was first published on 3 May 2021.
On May 3, 2021, Dr. John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), appeared on CNN's One World with Zain Asher to discuss the continent's vaccine production efforts.
Currently, Africa imports 99% of its vaccines, a situation Dr. Nkengasong believes makes the continent too dependent on external help. 'I think it is very obvious now that Africa has to take its own vaccine security into its hands,' he stated.
He explained that this reliance on imported vaccines is particularly challenging during a pandemic, citing the recent ban on AstraZeneca vaccine exports from India, which accounts for 70% of Africa's vaccine imports.
The CDC and the African Union have set an ambitious goal to have Africa produce 60% of its consumed vaccines by 2040. Dr. Nkengasong believes this target is 'very achievable' due to the continent's mobilization on the political, financial, and policy-making fronts.
He also addressed the issue of vaccine shelf life, encouraging countries to use their vaccines quickly to avoid expiring doses. Dr. Nkengasong noted that countries with successful vaccination programs, such as Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria, are now in need of second-round vaccine doses.
