Towards 90-90-90 Target: COVID-19 and HIV Response in Africa

As cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue to rise, so are the concerns of the effects this pandemic could have on people living with HIV. In response to the pandemic, measures have been put in place by African governments to limit the spread of the virus. We examine the impact of these measures on ensuring progress towards the HIV advocacy of "90-90-90" by 2020, i.e., 90% of all people living with HIV will know their status, 90% of people diagnosed will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90% of people receiving ART will have viral suppression all by the end of 2020. COVID-19 arrival on the continent and measures implemented have a significant effect on the control of HIV epidemic and the achievement of the 90-90-90 goals. It is therefore essential that African health stakeholders continue to advance efforts to ensure access to HIV care services is sustained during this COVID-19 pandemic

Obstacles and Policy Measures Toward COVID-19 Vaccination: Creating a Sustainable Road Map for Malawi

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health threat for Malawi which is facing several challenges concurrently including disease burden; inadequate finances; illiteracy; and public mistrust in government. In this pandemic, vaccines are the most reliable and cost-effective public health intervention, and the Malawian government has instituted an action plan which includes prioritizing the vaccination of traditional and religious leaders, increased vaccination sites to include workplaces and shopping malls, and health promotion. However, there is still considerable hesitancy around the use of the available vaccines in Malawi. In this paper, we explore the multiple interrelated factors driving COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Malawi. It is therefore recommended that the Malawian government embrace multicomponent and wide-ranging strategies to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the country. This includes reviving trust in national health authorities by offering population-specific, target-driven, and effective, transparent, and timely communication to its citizens and relevant stakeholders about the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine