Dear Editor,
Following the discovery of the COVID-19 vaccine and the rollout of vaccination programs
globally, there seems to be a great relief and a flag of victory ahead in conquering
the COVID-19 pandemic, however, winning this war may take a longer time in Africa
due to the low COVID-19 vaccines supply and slow pace of vaccination when compared
to other continents [1]. As of mid-October 2021, there have been 8,469,428 reported
cases of COVID-19 infection and 214,681 deaths in Africa while less than 4% of the
entire African populace has been fully vaccinated [1,2]. Besides the low supply of
COVID-19 vaccines to Africa, many Africans are also unwilling to be vaccinated as
many African countries still have thousands to millions of doses that are yet to be
administered [1,3]. One major factor in vaccine hesitancy in this continent is widespread
rumours and myths concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccines. This ranges from
denying the existence of the virus even by the so-called elites like government officials
and presidents [4], to tagging the virus as the ‘virus of the rich’, fear of death
from the COVID-19 vaccine as it was believed that microchips are embedded in the vaccine
which can kill or turn someone to a robot. Some video clips were also circulated as
proof that the site of vaccination is becoming magnetic and capable of lightening
bulbs, amongst other rumours and fake news [4].
However, this kind of false perception is not limited to Africans. According to one
research in France, over 60% of respondents to a questionnaire are unwilling to be
vaccinated due to issues ranging from the safety of such vaccines, potential short-
and long-term adverse effects, and mistrust of national and global authorities in
charge of COVID-19 pandemic situations [5]. Some also believed that most of the pharmaceutical
companies producing COVID-19 vaccines are solely pursuing financial interests [5].
Besides, some country leaders and presidents who had initially misled their citizens
against the existence of COVID-19 and its vaccines are now pleading to them to get
vaccinated [5]. This further confused the citizens, thereby making issues related
to the COVID-19 pandemic more complicated.
1
Poverty rates in Africa
In Africa, it is not news that the poverty level is very high. This is basically due
to bad governance and misappropriation of funds. According to a World Bank report
in December 2020, about 40% of the population in Africa are living below the US$1.90-a-day
poverty line in 2018 and Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for about two-thirds of the global
extremely poor population [6,7]. Unfortunately, this has become a major tool by the
politicians and those in power to carry out different kinds of manipulations on the
citizens [8]. Owned to this, an incentive-based electioneering campaign has been a
powerful tool in the hands of the political gladiators to cajole or entice people
into voting for them; this has been yielding positive results over decades. In Nigeria
for example, this kind of incentive-based campaign is in vogue and has been tagged
‘stomach infrastructure’. Stomach infrastructure is an approach where food items among
other consumables are distributed to people to gain political popularity and confidence
while meeting their high poverty needs [8]. Surprisingly, such an approach has been
yielding positive results for politicians as many who have already developed apathy
for voting or are unwilling to vote, often change their minds and go out en masse
to vote after receiving such incentives.
2
Incentive-base approach to vaccine hesitancy
Following the high resistance of Africans to the COVID-19 vaccination, an incentive-based
approach could be a game-changer in getting them vaccinated. If this kind of approach
has been adopted in the advanced world and it worked or it's working, how much more
Africa? [9]. Even though some African countries have been denying non-vaccinated citizens
some human rights and privileges like access to their places of work, hospitals among
other public facilities [[10], [11], [12], [13]], however, this is only effective
in government and some high profiled private establishments [14,15]. What of other
citizens forming a larger percentage of the population like farmers, traders, artisans,
and youths that are autonomous or not directly depending on the government for salary
or survival?
Therefore, this write-up recommends the provision of incentives like food items, snacks,
beverages, soft drinks, hand bands, and T-shirts at the point of vaccination with
inscriptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination, could yield positive
results for en masse vaccination. In fact, cash transfer to ease means of transportation
to and fro the point of vaccination can never be out of point in this clime. Cinemas
could also share popcorn, drinks, or any light refreshment with those who presented
their vaccination cards [9]. An incentive-based approach will be softer and more attractive
than being harsh and autocratic in getting people vaccinated.
Besides, as a larger percentage of the African population are youths with over 60%
less than 25 years of age [16], and the supply of COVID-19 vaccines in Africa is low
[3], hence, herd immunity is vital in this continent [17]. The likely positive outcome
and the resultant en masse vaccination through an incentive-based approach will make
the sufficiently large proportion of vaccinated or immuned individuals existing in
a given population give indirect protection against disease to people who cannot be
vaccinated like the very young individuals, immunocompromised and those below the
ladder of vaccination [17]. This will go a long way in safeguarding Africa from the
COVID-19 pandemic.
3
Conclusion
Rather than using force and violating or infringing human rights because of vaccine
hesitancy, encouraging unwilling individuals to get vaccinated through an incentive-based
approach will make more people get vaccinated and as a result, herd immunity will
be provided for the larger African populace. This might be the game-changer and the
only solution to the issues surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and its vaccination
in Africa. Denying people their rights and forcing them to get vaccinated might even
force some citizens to provide false proof of COVID-19 vaccination. If this happened,
it could result in a false representation of the true status of COVID-19 vaccination
in Africa and that will be catastrophic for the entire continent and the world at
large.
Conflict of interest
The author has no conflict of interest to declare.
Funding
The author has no competing financial interests concerning the work described.
AUTHOR’S contribution
OAO conceptualized the idea and designed the manuscript. OAO drafted the manuscript.
AOA edited, reviewed, and made additional changes to the manuscript. All authors approved
the final draft.