Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of 16th of June 2020, the virus has infected over 7 million persons, with over 400,000 deaths globally. Africa is the least affected region globally, with 1.5% of the world’s reported COVID-19 cases and 0.1% of the world’s deaths, having reported >230, 000 cases with more than 6,000 deaths.

 

The present COVID-19 pandemic has serious health, security, and economic impact for the continent. Vaccines are a potent public health tools and Africa needs to actively engage in the development, evaluation and access to potential COVID-19 vaccine development, clinical trial, and define issues related to access. On 22nd February 2020, Africa developed a COVID-19 Joint Continental Strategy that has three pillars: 1) limit transmission, 2) prevent deaths, and 3) limit harm. This strategy is underpinned by the need to coordinate, cooperate, collaborate and communicate.  Continental collaboration and coordination will be critical for the development of an effective vaccine against COVID-19. 

 

An effective vaccine will help save lives and economies and ensure that we return gradually to some sort of “normalcy” globally. As of 30 May 2020, 121 candidate vaccines products are being tested with 10 undergoing clinical evaluation. COVID-19 vaccine trials will certainly be carried out in Africa, under the highest ethical and safety standards.

 

A few weeks ago, the World Health Organization (WHO), successfully launched the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator. This initiative champions the shared commitment and partnership of global actors and stakeholders across sectors, to coordinate efforts to develop and provide equal access to COVID-19 testing, treatments, and vaccines around the world.

 

Africa’s leadership role will complement global investment in the enormous task and ensure that there will be access and equity to available vaccines. As such a continental framework is needed for large-scale manufacturing, clinical trials, and access to potential COVID-19 vaccines in Africa. 

 

The need for Africa to develop a framework for the continent to actively engage in the development and access to potential effective COVID-19 vaccines was endorsed at the Bureau of the Assembly of the AU Heads of State and Government and chairperson of the AU RECs on 11th of June 2020.

 

As part of implementing the Africa’s Joint Continental Strategy to combat COVID-19, the Africa Union Commission and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) will host a virtual conference to discuss Africa’s leadership role in enabling the development, access and equity to a COVID-19 vaccine. 

 

The overall goals of the conference will be to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa and the development and equitable access to vaccines as part of the COVID-19 Joint Continental Strategy to limit transmission, reduce deaths and limit harm. The expected outcome of the conference will be a framework for Africa’s leadership in the development and access of COVID-19 vaccines, which will help complement the WHO’s ACT Accelerator initiative. This demonstration of collaboration will help position Africa to better engage with key stakeholders to ensure equitable access to testing and vaccines for its citizens.

 

1. Discuss Africa’s contribution to the development and evaluation of safe and effective candidate vaccines for COVID-19, in a timely manner.
2. Discuss the various aspects of access and equity to any potentially effective COVID-19 vaccines.
3. Discuss strategies for community engagement to ensure uptake of any potential effective COVID-19 vaccines.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

 

PARTICIPANTS

 

Approximately, 1,500 participants are expected to attend the Virtual Conference These are mainly: 

DATE AND TIME

 

Wednesday 24 June 2020

2:00 – 6:00 PM East Africa Time

 

Thursday 25 June 2020

 

1:00 – 6:30 PM East African Time

 

Register in advance for the conference:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xGSrwsbMQrWkP9ldx7B-rQ 

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the conference.

1. Ms Sergut Dejene : sergut.dejene@gmail.com 
2. Dr Mahlet Kifle Habtemariam: MahletKifle@africa-union.org