AstraZeneca a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in Oncology, Rare Diseases, among others celebrates its anniversary as the first to deliver COVAX vaccines to Africa.
As part of measures to curb the increasing spread of the Covid-19 virus, which struck in 2020, the company began distributing its vaccines around the world through the COVAX initiative a year ago.
In a statement released on February 28, 2022, Barbara Nel, Country President for Africa, AstraZeneca said: “As part of our commitment to putting broad and equitable access at the heart of our pandemic response, AstraZeneca was proud to be the first global pharmaceutical company to join COVAX in 2020.”
“Our strong partnerships with the Serum Institute of India (SII), GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization are vital to delivering on our commitment to supply Africa with the COVID-19 vaccine at no profit. We commend the work being done by governments across the continent to increase immunization coverage and to protect their citizens from severe disease.”
According to global estimates, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has helped prevent 50 million COVID-19 cases and five million hospitalizations, helping save more than one million lives.