[ti:African Health Expert Warns of Possible 'Vaccine War'] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]The head of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [00:07.00]warned against a "vaccine war" among nations. [00:12.72]Dr. John Nkengasong spoke Thursday at a World Health Organization event. [00:19.76]He said that he "truly feels helpless that this situation [00:25.36]is going to significantly impact our ability to fight this virus." [00:31.44]His was speaking about reports that the Serum Institute of India [00:37.40]is suspending major exports of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. [00:44.40]The reason for the suspension, the reports said, [00:48.76]was to meet rising demand within India. [00:53.64]Nkengasong added, "There is absolutely no need, [00:58.08]absolutely no need for us as humanity [01:01.80]to go into a vaccine war to fight this pandemic. [01:06.28]We will all be losers." [01:09.72]The Serum Institute of India produces the AstraZeneca vaccine [01:15.48]that is being sent to Africa through the COVAX program. [01:20.68]It is an international effort [01:24.16]to make sure poor countries receive enough vaccines. [01:29.36]At least 28 of Africa's 54 countries [01:34.48]have received over 16 million doses through COVAX. [01:40.80]South Sudan received its first shipment [01:44.96]of 132,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday. [01:52.96]The WHO called the arrival a "giant step" [01:57.44]toward equal availability of COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. [02:04.24]But COVAX has been facing delays [02:07.40]related to the limited worldwide supply of the vaccine [02:12.36]and other issues. [02:14.40]At least 10 African countries have not yet received any vaccines, [02:21.08]the WHO's area office for Africa reported. [02:26.48]Those countries include Tanzania, [02:29.76]Burundi, Eritrea, Cameroon and Chad. [02:36.04]Africa "has received limited doses [02:39.36]and much later than the rest of the world," said Dr. Richard Mihigo. [02:45.84]He is a program coordinator overseeing immunization [02:50.44]and vaccine development with the WHO's Africa office. [02:57.28]Officials hope to vaccinate 60 percent of Africa's 1.3 billion people [03:03.68]by the middle of next year. [03:06.40]That would help Africa reach herd immunity. [03:10.56]That term describes when enough people [03:13.76]are protected through infection or vaccination [03:17.92]to make it difficult for a virus to continue to spread. [03:22.64]But that target most likely will not be met [03:26.92]without the widespread use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. [03:32.12]Many experts consider it necessary to the effort to stop the coronavirus. [03:39.12]AstraZeneca's vaccine is less costly and easier to store than many others. [03:46.80]Experts warn that until vaccination rates are high worldwide, [03:52.80]the virus remains a threat everywhere. [03:57.16]I'm John Russell. [03:58.64]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM