Framework for Fair, Equitable and Timely Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccines in Africa (Highlights of Day 1)

SESSION 1 – OPENING

The virtual conference, co-organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) brought together African leaders, public health professionals and researchers, policymakers, business leaders and civil society and community leaders. The objective was to discuss strategies and approaches to remove barriers to widespread delivery and uptake of effective COVID-19 vaccines across Africa, guided by African voices and indigenous values. The goal of the conference was to provide input for a framework for fair, equitable and timely allocation of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa.
Dr John Nkengasong, Director of Africa CDC, welcomed the participants and thanked the South African Medical Research Council under Prof. Glenda Gray’s leadership for the collaboration on this critical conference. Dr Nkengasong emphasized the urgent need to translate the preparation for COVID-19 vaccine deployment into action, as we are in the middle of the pandemic, and the vaccination campaigns have started.