Coronavirus
In the context of supply issues, the African Union has abandoned plans to procure coronavirus vaccines from the Serum Institute in India and is now discussing possibilities with the U.S. Johnson & Johnson.
John Nkengasong, head of the African Disease Control Centers, said the sufficient supply of vaccine was crucial – and that export constraints by India is problematic for Africa.
He went on to say that the AU's decision had nothing to do with the potential connection to blood clots in some rare cases surrounding the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
He stressed that the AstraZeneca vaccine will still be distributed to Africa through the UN's Covax program.
Nkengasong claimed that the AU had already signed a contract with Johnson & Johnson for up to 400 million single dose vaccines.
01:56
African leaders call for continent to unlock capital at Egypt business summit
02:08
DR Congo: Trial of post-Ebola exposure drug underway
01:19
Ebola cases in DR Congo cross 8,000 as EU, US pledge further financial support
01:19
Kenya's Ruto calls for permanent African representation on UN Security Council
Go to video
Fairer vaccine sharing could save millions in next pandemic, study finds
00:56
African Union to push for bigger voice on world stage at UN meeting