Hope on vaccines, but still a long way to go

COVID-19 vaccine coverage remains pitifully low across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, with less than 10% of populations having received at least a first dose in most countries. But there are signs that things may be slowly turning a corner. The rate of vaccination has picked up in recent weeks and there are growing hopes that this trend will continue as the supply of vaccines to the continent improves. That said, there is still a long way to go to reach the high vaccine coverage achieved in other parts of the world. What’s more, even as supply improves, other hurdles such as logistical challenges and vaccine hesitancy may still hinder progress. In the meantime, the region will remain vulnerable to fresh virus outbreaks and the threat of tighter restrictions will continue to cast a cloud over the economic outlook.