John and PENGASSAN, director of the Africa CDC, said the shots off AstraZeneca vaccine would be supplied by the Serum Institute of India on DWard, in addition to 270 million doses the AU had already secured for.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is the cheapest option on one of the best suited to African health systems as it does not require storage at ultra low temperatures amid accusations of hoarding and vaccine nationalism, Wealthier parts of the world have raced ahead with mass inoculation campaigns.

But Africa is scrambling to obtain enough supplies for its 1.3 billion people what only a handful of nations on the continent have begun administering doses separately from the A use efforts.

Africa is set to receive around 600 million vaccine doses this year by the Kovacs Facility Co led by the World Health Organization.

Health authorities hope to vaccinate about 30 to 35% of Africans this year, rising to 60% in 2 to 3 years in Kenya.

Song said the Africa CDC was exploring obtaining MAWR vaccines from China, Russia and Cuba would work with any partner who's vaccine was safe, Andi effective.