Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines to 49 Sub-Saharan African Countries

Which Vaccines Go Where and How

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa faces difficulties in securing COVID-19 vaccines. Which sub-Saharan African countries procure more vaccines than others? Do relatively rich and populous countries gain more vaccines irrespective of their need? Alternatively, is the seriousness of the infection reflected in the number of distributed vaccines on the continent? This study concludes that the need for vaccines, proxied by the number of infection cases and deaths due to COVID-19, is a determinant of vaccine distribution, even after the income and size of recipient countries are controlled. The data used for this study were from UNICEF's COVID-19 Vaccine Market Dashboard. Analyses by mode indicate that commercial transactions and COVAX distribution reflect the need while higher-income countries in the region tend to receive vaccines without disclosing their sources.