Covid-19 Shots to cost between Sh300 and Sh1100 under AU plan

African countries will pay between $3 and $10 per COVID-19 vaccine dose, to access 270 million shots secured in January by the African Union (AU). This is according to a draft briefing on the plan prepared by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank).

Au chair and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said last week that arrangements had been made with the bank to support member states who want access to vaccines.

Countries can pay back the loans in installments of over five to seven years, the document read.

Afreximbank however declined to answer questions on the terms outlined in the briefing, saying the document was in draft form and meant for a confidential discussion. The AU team also declined to comment.

The document shared by Reuters provides the first public details on the prices manufacturers are offering African nations outside of the COVAX global vaccine sharing scheme.

Although prices are heavily discounted compared to what wealthier nations are paying, some experts worry about countries struggling to manage the economic effects of the pandemic.

John Nkengasong, who heads the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the prices were comparable to those available through COVAX.

“My thinking is that the vaccines market will open up in the coming months, when for example Johnson & Johnson and others land on the market,” Nkengasong told Reuters.

“For now, what is critical is access to the market, secure quantities, and start vaccinating.”

As rich nations race ahead with mass vaccination campaigns, Africa remains scrambling to secure supplies as it grapples with the second wave of infections.

The AU is concerned that vaccine supplies to be released through COVAX in the first half of the year may not extend beyond the needs of frontline healthcare workers.

COVAX is due to start rolling out vaccines to poor and middle-income countries in February, with about 600 million doses earmarked for Africa this year.