The goal of vaccinating 40 per cent of Africa’s population against Covid-19 by December appears elusive as the continent grapples with cutbacks on doses supplied via multilateral platforms, a top World Health Organization (WHO) official said.

In a statement on Thursday, Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said the continent faces a nearly 500 million vaccine shortfall, as the COVAX facility slashes 150 million doses that  were slated for delivery this year, reports Xinhua news agency.