In this May 18, 2020 file photo, people use a hand-washing station installed for members of the public entering a market in Dodoma, Tanzania. (PHOTO / AP)

As many African countries work to secure supplies of COVID-19 vaccines, the importance of preparatory work for efficient distribution of the doses has been stressed.

At a meeting of African health ministers hosted by the World Health Organization on Thursday, Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO's regional director for Africa, said more work needs to be done in setting up systems to manage the logistics and supply chain needs for getting the vaccines to people across the continent.

Relatively few African countries have received supplies so far, and those that have done so have obtained them as a result of direct purchases from producers or donations from countries such as China and Russia.

Relatively few African countries have received supplies so far, and those that have done so have obtained them as a result of direct purchases from producers or donations from countries such as China and Russia

"Africa is revving up to rollout COVID-19 vaccines. These thorough vaccine preparation plans will help ensure African countries can hit the ground running in quickly immunizing the most vulnerable people," Moeti said of the required preparatory work.

"Meticulous planning is the key to ensuring vaccines reach all priority groups, wherever they are, in every single African country.

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"Our priority must be to protect the most vulnerable from severe illness and death. Along with rolling out safe and proven vaccines, we must also work toward a diverse vaccine portfolio."

Moeti added: "At the same time, manufacturers must be prepared to adjust to mutations of the virus, including potentially providing booster shots and adapted vaccines."

Morocco, Egypt, Seychelles and Zimbabwe are among countries that have begun mass inoculations, and they are using a vaccine from Chinese drugmaker Sinopharm. Algeria, South Africa, Rwanda and Mauritius have also got programs underway.

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Second batch on the way

Zimbabwe's vaccination drive started on Thursday after it received a shipment of the Sinopharm vaccine, which was donated by the Chinese government. The country expects to receive a second batch of the vaccine this week.

Senegal and Equatorial Guinea last week received supplies of the same vaccine. Mass vaccinations are yet to begin in the two countries.

Most African countries are struggling to procure vaccines as they await disbursements through programs backed by the African Union and World Health Organization.

South Africa, the country with the most infections on the continent, halted a plan to use a vaccine from AstraZeneca because of concerns about its efficacy against a virus variant that has pushed up infections.