News - News Agency Of Nigeria

COVID-19: AU calls for vaccination in all countries (Page 2,765)

COVID-19 vaccination should take place “in all countries and among all populations” to realise global containment of the pandemic, Naledi Pandor, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Executive Council said.

Pandor, who is also Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, made the remarks during the opening session of the 38th ordinary session of the AU Executive Council.

“The most important public health measure to prevent COVID-19 is a vaccine.

“For the past year, efforts have been underway to find vaccines that are both safe, affordable and effective,’’ Pandor told the virtual session of the AU Executive Council meeting, which gathered ministers of the 55-member pan-African bloc.

“We finally have achieved the goal, with a number of vaccines having undergone clinical trials and passed stringent safety tests.

The production of the vaccine has begun in earnest,’’ she said.

Noting that vaccines are costly, Pandor, however, stressed that all countries must get vaccines and must get them speedily.

“ It is vital to the global containment of COVID-19 that vaccination takes place in all countries and among all populations.’’

“We are all aware of the challenges of accessing vaccines for the Global South, particularly for Africa,’’ she added.

According to the South African minister, the developed North, which has substantial financial resources, has purchased the largest stocks, “while we in Africa are struggling to get our fair share.’’

“The painful irony is that some of the clinical trials for these vaccines were carried out in Africa.

In other cases, vaccines are packaged right here on the continent, yet we struggle to access them for our populations,’’ she added.

On Jan. 14, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chairperson of AU, announced that AU had secured a provisional 270 million COVID-19 vaccine doses on behalf of its member states.

As the African continent strives to get adequate COVID-19 vaccine under the leadership of the bloc, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Jan. 28, called on Africa’s private sector to support the continental ambition in terms of securing adequate COVID-19 vaccine. (Xinhua/NAN)

COVID-19: AU calls for vaccination in all countries

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: February 4, 2021

In: Foreign

Naledi Pandor, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Executive Council calls for COVID-19 vaccination “in all countries and among all populations” to realise global containment of the pandemic.Continue Reading

Kebbi Govt spends N673m on Birnin Kebbi water scheme

By: Rabi'u Sani Ali

On: February 4, 2021

In: General News

Kebbi Government has rehabilitated the Bi-Water Scheme at the cost of N673 million, to enhance water supply to the state capital.Continue Reading

How 303 doctors died of COVID-19 in Indonesia

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: February 4, 2021

In: Foreign

As many as 303 doctors die due to Coronavirus pandemic in Indonesia, according to Indonesia Medical Association on Thursday.Continue Reading

Australia to vaccinate entire population by October

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: February 4, 2021

In: Foreign

Health authorities in Australia plans to vaccinate entire population against COVID-19 by October after securing 150 million doses of vaccine.Continue Reading

Plateau Govt lauds FG for approving 2 universities

By: Rabi'u Sani Ali

On: February 4, 2021

In: General News

The Plateau Government has applauded the Federal Government for approving the establishment of two private universities in the state.Continue Reading

Man bags 66 months imprisonment for human trafficking

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: February 4, 2021

In: Judiciary

Federal High Court sitting in Katsina sentences one Muyeedeen Jamilu, 42, to five and a half years’ imprisonment for human trafficking.Continue Reading

COVID-19 protocols: Court orders reopening of Wuse, UTC markets in FCT

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: February 4, 2021

In: Judiciary

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) mobile court orders reopening of Wuse, UTC markets and Murg Shopping Plaza shut down on Monday in Abuja for violating COVID-19 safety protocol.Continue Reading

Australian brain cancer drug set for human trials

By: Ifeanyi Nwoko

On: February 4, 2021

In: Health

Researchers from University of South Australia (UniSA) have discovered a drug that can treat the most lethal form of brain cancer.Continue Reading

COVID-19: NCDC announces 1,138 new infections

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: February 4, 2021

In: Health

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announces 1,138 new cases of COVID-19, bringing total number of infections in the country to 134,690.Continue Reading

5 kidnap suspects nabbed during bush combing in Edo

By: Afonne Emmanuel

On: February 4, 2021

In: Defence/Security

Police Command in Edo arrests five kidnap suspects in Ahon community bushes in Edo State, on Benin-Lagos expressway.Continue Reading

Follows Us

COVID-19: AU calls for vaccination in all countries (Page 2,765)