Addressing public health reactions from the African population

 Statement of the problem:

I have been getting reactions as to why there is a tag boldly written "for export only" on Remdisivir being shipped to Africa.

My opinion:

There can only be two major reasons for this tag on it:

1. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and storage capacity of the recipient nations in Africa.

2. Differential pricing: many companies out of their social responsibility produce drugs or vaccines that are very cheap but not of inferior quality to poorer nations or countries in developing nations. This kind of deal is usually negotiated during clinical trials, hence the rational for the tag.

There are facts to support these two factors but I won't go into it now as I would like to make this post very short.

mRNA 1273 known as Moderna COVID19 Vaccine:

Although the vaccine will help people with weaker immune response, the vaccine is yet to address recent scientific conflict on immune escape, as new variants of SARS - COVID - 2 are beginning to display random variation at the spike cells, according to new findings seen in the UK B.1.1. 7, South African, Brazilian and now Ohio variants. Also, I doubt how many nations in Africa, except South Africa and few others that are constantly embarking on scientific studies to address the relationship between the emerging variants and convalescent plasma in their respective countries. A study that would have been vital to help countries understand the importance of this mRNA vaccine on the population before going into it.

I appreciate the concern of Africans on the type of vaccine being shipped into the region. However, what should bother Africans actually is the terms in the deal. Let me leave you here with one question:

What should be worrisome here is not the safety of the vaccine but trying to come to terms with the rationality that our national governments are trying to procure a vaccine that provides only yearly immunity at a high financial rate, with no basic information as to whether the vaccine protects against infection or only illness? This implies that a vaccinated person can still spread the virus, even if they don't feel sick. 

Therefore, even as people are being encouraged to take the vaccine by their National governments, we should not be complacent that the current vaccine is all that is needed to kick the pandemic away, but note the following:

1. Wear your mask.

2. Maintain social distance always.

3. Wash your hands or sanitize your hands always.

4. Please avoid large gatherings.

These protocols and many other public health strategies are the most certain and better ways to stay safe from this viral menace for now until a scientifically, evidence based drug with "everlasting immunity" is found against all the strains of this virus.

I thank you!

Eloke Onyebuchi is a scientist, writer, Global Health Policy and Public Health Strategist, Healthcare Management Consultant,  Advocate, Researcher and the CEO of Onyibupet Consulting Limited: A health sector consulting).