The World Health Organization’s Africa director has condemned plans by the United States and other wealthy countries to offer third-dose COVID vaccine booster shots while only 2% of Africa’s 1.3 billion people have been fully vaccinated. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti said the U.S. should give priority to poorer nations.

Dr. Matshidiso Moeti: “Moves by some countries globally to introduce booster shots threaten the promise of a brighter tomorrow for Africa. As some richer countries hoard vaccines, they make a mockery, frankly, of vaccine equity.”