Translate page with Google

Story Publication logo August 17, 2022

Vaccine Supply Has Improved in West Africa, but Vaccination Rates Remain Low

Author:
Busy market in Sierra Leone's capital Freetown. Only 24% of Sierra Leone's 8 million people are fully vaccinated. Image by Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman/The World.
English

Ghana was the first country in Africa to receive bulk shipments of the vaccines under the COVAX...

SECTIONS

For much of the pandemic, West African countries have lacked the vaccines needed to protect their populations against COVID-19. But now that enough supply is available, there are still very few people choosing to get vaccinated. Reporting from Sierra Leone and Ghana, Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman spoke to residents and health workers administering the vaccines about the challenges, including disinformation and fear spread through social media and some religious leaders.


Courtesy of The World.

As a nonprofit journalism organization, we depend on your support to fund journalism addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Donate any amount today to become a Pulitzer Center Champion and receive exclusive benefits!


This is the first in a two-part series; the second segment discusses new strategies that are being employed in Sierra Leone and Ghana to make sure people get vaccinated.

RELATED ISSUES

COVID

Issue

COVID-19

COVID-19
navy halftone illustration of a syringe

Issue

Health

Health

RELATED INITIATIVES

global health reporting initiative

Initiative

Global Health Inequities

Global Health Inequities

Support our work

Your support ensures great journalism and education on underreported and systemic global issues