Devex: 4 out of 5 Africans would take a COVID-19 vaccine: Africa CDC survey
“About 80% of Africans surveyed said they were willing to take a COVID-19 vaccine once it’s publicly available and deemed safe and effective. Of those that said they would not take a vaccine, safety was the leading concern. The survey conducted by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s Vaccine Confidence Project, and Orb International, examined perceptions around COVID-19 vaccines in 15 countries…” (Jerving, 12/17).

Reuters: Second COVID-19 wave hits West & Central Africa as weather cools
“A second wave of coronavirus infections is hitting West and Central Africa, and experts are warning it could be worse than the first as cooler weather descends on a region where most countries cannot afford a vaccine. Nigeria, Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, and Democratic Republic of Congo are all at or near record levels of infection, data compiled by Reuters shows. Infections in Senegal are also rising fast…” (Lorgerie et al., 12/17).

U.N. News: U.N. releases emergency funding for civilians in Ethiopia’s Tigray, as Africa’s battle against COVID-19 intensifies
“The UN has released $36.6 million for civilians caught up in the conflict that has roiled Ethiopia’s Tigray region since early last month, in order to secure water, sanitation, and lifesaving medical supplies. … [I]n the battle against the spread of COVID-19 across the continent overall, cases have risen steadily over the past two months, underscoring the need for reinforced public health measures to avert a surge in infections, particularly as people gather or travel for end-of-year celebrations, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)…” (12/17).