The Mastercard Foundation and Africa CDC (www.AfricaCDC.org) began the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative a year ago, which has grown to a $1.5 billion partnership with four major objectives.:
- To purchase COVID-19 vaccines for at least 65 million people
- To drive millions more vaccinations by enabling the delivery and administration of vaccines.
- To lay the groundwork for vaccine manufacturing by focusing on human capital development.
- To strengthen the capacity of Africa CDC.
The groundbreaking alliance — the largest public health partnership between a global philanthropic organization and an African institution – has proven to be transformative.
The African Vaccine Acquisition Trust was able to negotiate and get 510 million vaccine doses for Africa because to the Saving Lives and Livelihoods commitment to purchase 65 million vaccine doses.
The idea also influenced African Union Heads of State’s decision to establish the Africa CDC as a self-contained public health body.
Since its inception, the effort has supplied over 15 million vaccines across Africa, as well as sending fast responders to speed up immunization campaigns in countries where vaccines are nearing expiration.
Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, stated at the one-year anniversary that the next phase of the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative would focus on turning vaccine deliveries into vaccinations.
“We must lean in and focus on vaccination uptake. It is an opportunity to work with governments to help set up vaccination centres, train and support health care workers, and engage directly with communities to understand the importance of getting vaccinated to secure the lives and livelihoods of their loved ones,” she said.
COVID-19 vaccination is a top priority for Africa, according to Dr. Ahmed Ouma, Acting Director of the Africa CDC, as the continent strives to reach its goal of vaccinating 70% of the population by the end of this year.
Two African countries have reached a vaccination rate of 70%, while six African countries have vaccinated between 40% and 70% of their populations. In Africa, only about 20% of the population is properly vaccinated.
“Today, we commemorate the first anniversary of the Mastercard Foundation’s partnership with the Africa CDC to purchase and deliver millions of vaccines and drive long-term health security in Africa. We reiterate our commitment and drive towards the new public health order, which calls for a strengthened Africa CDC and our National Public Health Institute.
“To increase investment in the public health workforce and train the next generation of leaders and experts. Finally, to expand local manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, which will ensure quick access and reduced costs in the continent,” he said.
Given that 70 percent of Africa’s population is under the age of 30, Dr. Ahmed Ouma also stressed the significance of focusing immunization efforts on young people.
Under the Saving Lives and Livelihoods project, the African Union and Africa CDC recently established Bingwa (a Swahili word meaning champion) to recruit young people as vaccine advocates in their communities.
The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative will place a major emphasis on risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) in the future to help African citizens, particularly young people and rural populations, understand the safety and advantages of immunization.
RCCE will be critical in generating demand for and adoption of COVID-19 vaccines, as well as supporting other non-pharmaceutical initiatives to break the pandemic’s transmission chain and limit its impact.
Media Contacts:
Mastercard Foundation
Nonye Mpho Omotola
Lead, Health Communications, Human Capital Developmentnomotola@mastercardfdn.org
Africa CDC
Dr. Benjamin Djoudalbaye
Head, Division of Policy, Health Diplomacy, and Communicationbenjamind@africa-union.orga
About the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC):
Africa CDC is a specialized technical institution of the African Union that strengthens the capacity and capability of Africa’s public health institutions and partnerships to detect and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats and outbreaks based on data-driven interventions and programs.
For more information, please visit: http://www.AfricaCDC.org
About the Mastercard Foundation:
The Mastercard Foundation is a Canadian foundation and one of the largest in the world, with approximately $40 billion in assets. The Foundation was created in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard when it became a public company. Since its inception, the Foundation has operated independently of the company. The Foundation’s policies, operations, and program decisions are determined by its Board.
For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.MastercardFDN.org
About the Saving Lives and Livelihoods Initiative:
The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative is a three-year, US $1.5 billion partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) designed to save the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in Africa and hasten the economic recovery of the continent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative is acquiring vaccines for more than 65 million people, supporting the delivery of vaccinations to millions more across the continent, laying the groundwork for vaccine manufacturing in Africa by focusing focus on human capital development, and strengthening the capacity of Africa CDC.
For more information on the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative, please visit: https://bit.ly/3Nh3F8s