WHO: 30 to 40 countries unable to provide second COVID-19 vaccine shot

Between 30 to 40 countries are unable to provide a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially those expecting shots from AstraZeneca, World Health Organization (WHO) officials said.

Countries expecting AstraZeneca vaccines from the Serum Institute of India had seen reduced supplies as the manufacturer had to prioritize India’s outbreak in April 2021.

Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America as well as neighbours of India, such as Nepal or Sri Lanka, are affected.

Many of these countries are at the very end of their supply, said Katherine O’Brien, WHO Director of the Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals.

She added that countries with weak vaccination programs suffer from discontinued supplies.

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