JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa is unparalleled. Most countries within Africa are facing major challenges vaccinating their populations. Lack of sufficient doses of COVID-19 vaccines, weaknesses in health infrastructure, and vaccine hesitancy are contributing to low vaccination rates among the adult population on the continent. In contrast, most high-income countries and some middle-income countries have already vaccinated more than half of their adult population and have started vaccinating children and adolescents (CA). Without sufficient COVID-19 vaccine coverage on the African continent, the prolonged social, economic, and health impacts of this public health crisis are likely to exacerbate pre-existing social-structural issues in this part of the world. In this paper, we highlight trends in SARS-CoV-2 infections among CA, compare COVID-19 vaccination patterns in Africa to high income countries, and discuss some of the benefits, challenges, and unknowns associated with vaccinating CA for COVID-19. In light of ongoing COVID-19 vaccine supply challenges and the slow progress that the African continent is making towards vaccinating the adult population, we suggest that the immediate priority for Africa is to accelerate COVID-19 vaccinations among the adult population and vulnerable CA (i.e., those who are immunocompromised and/or living with comorbidities). Accelerating the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and rapidly achieving high levels of vaccination coverage in the adult population will free up capacity to vaccinate CA sooner rather than later.