The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has criticized a move by Canada to block international travelers who have not taken a COVID-19 vaccine from entering its borders.
The agency’s head warned that the decision would widen inequalities, as most low-income countries continue to struggle to obtain the vital jabs.
“AfricaCDC warned that this scenario was imminent once some countries have vaccinated a substantial portion of their population. This decision by Canada will further exacerbate inequities and make it harder to win the global fight against COVID-19,” John Nkengasong, the Director of the Africa CDC, said on Twitter.
@AfricaCDC warned that this scenario was imminent once some countries have vaccinated a substantial portion of their population. This decision by Canada will further exacerbate inequities and make it harder to win the global fight against Covid-19 https://t.co/gGfsjKeCeu
— John Nkengasong (@JNkengasong) July 11, 2021
![[FILES] Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Photo by Dave Chan / AFP)](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Justin-Trudeau-1-1062x598-1.jpg "Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces separation from wife Sophie 4")
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week that international travelers who have not taken the vaccines would not be allowed into the country.
According to the World Health Organization, some 50 million doses had been administered in Africa by last week, accounting for just 1.6% of doses administered globally. Only about Sixteen million, or less than 2%, of Africans are fully vaccinated.
Canada’s decision would lock out majority of Africa’s population from entering the country.
Various leaders, led by the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, have called for vaccine sharing to ensure a synchronized fight against COVID-19.
By Monday, July 12, 2021 Africa had reported 5,926,224 COVID-19 infections with 151,386 deaths.
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