Where the Health Are We with the COVID-19 vaccinations?

Carrying out large-scale vaccination campaigns, like those for COVID-19, is a complex task. But just how complex? In this episode, we discuss what happens behind the scenes, and what issues and successes African countries are having as the quest to get people vaccinated continues.

Guest: Dr. Phionah Atuhebwe, the WHO New Vaccine Introduction Officer for Africa.

In this episode we discussed several key points including:

• (5:02) Obtaining regulatory approvals is the first step in the rollout of the vaccines.


• (8:40) The supply-chain and logistical aspects of the rollout come next.


• (11:21) Then efforts need to be directed towards micro-planning, to ensure that vulnerable populations receive the vaccine.


• (13.08) Community engagement is an essential step in the rollout, to ensure that people understand why they’re getting the vaccines.


• (14:31) Continuous monitoring and evaluation needs to be done to ensure that targets are being reached and kinks ironed out.


• (16:37) African countries are facing different issues in the rollout of vaccines.


• (20:32) Some countries have had success with the vaccine rollouts.


• (22:36) Key takeaways from the episode.

Some useful resources:

• https://www.afro.who.int/news/key-lessons-africas-covid-19-vaccine-rollout


• https://www.afro.who.int/news/risks-and-challenges-africas-covid-19-vaccine-rollout

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Thank you!