AU member states will receive 10 000 COVID-19 vaccine-monitoring devices as part of the drive to improve vaccine distribution across the continent.

The initiative forms part of collaborative efforts between the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and US software company Parsyl, which provides smart vaccine-monitoring solutions to emerging markets.

The devices can be configured to monitor the storage requirements and quality of the different types of COVID-19 vaccines. Parsyl will supply its mobile-based Smart Countdown tool in addition to its tracking system. The device displays the temperature and shelf-life data of thawed ultra cold-chain COVID-19 vaccines, so health workers can use the tool to adequately determine the quality of the dose after it has been in storage before administering it.

The Africa CDC is determining the countries that are eligible to receive the tracking tools.

8 February 2022
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