Omi-chronicles from South Africa and beyond

South African officials seem to be pushing vaccine take-up to curb the latest Omicron-induced virus outbreak rather than tightening restrictions on activity. But with pressure building on the health system, this risks the introduction of harsher and more economically damaging containment measures down the line. Elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, even as policymakers counter vaccine hesitancy with mandates, problems with distribution and the supply of doses are likely to hold back inoculation campaigns.