AU announces rollout of 400 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines

The African Union announced a major breakthrough securing 220Million Doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with the potential of an additional 180Million doses meant to be distributed across its member states.

The major vaccine purchase is funded by a 2 Billion US dollar facility by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)

Announcing the dates of the shipment, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said “This is a momentous step forward in Africa’s efforts to safeguard the health and well-being of its people. By working together and pooling resources, African Countries have been able To secure millions of vaccine doses produced right here in Africa. This will provide the impetus to the fight against Covid-19 across the continent,”

6.4 Million doses are set to be shipped across Africa this month with the AU targeting to deliver 50 Million Johnson & Johnson vaccines by December this year. The African Union further projects a 25M shipment of doses monthly beginning January 2021.