Although vaccine supplies have risen significantly, the continent is struggling to expand rollout, with only 11 percent of the population fully vaccinated.

To date, Africa has received more than 587 million vaccine doses: 58 percent through the UN-backed and equity-based COVAX Facility, 36 percent through bilateral deals, and six percent through the Africa Vaccines Acquisition Trust (AVAT) of the African Union.

“The world has finally heard our calls. Africa is now accessing the vaccines it has demanded for far too long. This is a dose of hope for this year,” said the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti.

In January alone, 96 million doses were shipped to Africa, which is more than double that of six months ago. But now the spotlight is on the need to rapidly ramp up vaccine rollout.

Currently, six million people are vaccinated on average every week, and this number needs to increase to 36 million, to reach the 70 percent target.

So far, the continent has recorded 10.8 million cases and over 239,000 deaths. (ILKHA)