COVID-19 Vaccine, Asymptomatic Cases, Risk Communication and Community Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa

David Houéto,Romulus Honhonou,Maurice Agonnoudé,Alexandre Timé,Ferdinand Daga

doi:10.4236/ojpm.2021.113007

Abstract

African region will probably be the last region in COVID-19 vaccine uptake. But that shouldn’t be a problematic issue if the emphasis is maintained on the role Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) can play in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic through the adoption of preventive measures. We used the issue of asymptomatic cases to illustrate the importance that should still be given to preventive measures such as hand washing, mask wearing, physical and social distancing, knowing that vaccines have never been 100% effective. Also with the issue of variants in COVID-19, the vaccine couldn’t be considered as a panacea. Lessons from the Nordic countries are strong arguments to put emphasis on preventive measures in the region.

Highlights

The epidemic of COVID-19 infections that broke out in China in late 2019 has rapidly grown and cases have been reported worldwide including the African Region (Figure 1)
African region will probably be the last region in COVID-19 vaccine uptake
What is an asymptomatic case and how it can be taken into account by Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) professionals for better interaction with communities though the perspective of vaccine is on the way in the region?

Summary

Background

The epidemic of COVID-19 infections that broke out in China in late 2019 has rapidly grown and cases have been reported worldwide including the African Region (Figure 1). The time from illness onset in a primary case (infector) to illness onset in a secondary case (infectee) is still unclear in order to understand the turnover of case generations and transmissibility of the disease. Countries adopted as a crucial part of control efforts, isolation of confirmed and suspected cases, and identification of contacts. What is an asymptomatic case and how it can be taken into account by Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) professionals for better interaction with communities though the perspective of vaccine is on the way in the region?

Definitions

The Magnitude of the COVID-19 Asymptomatic Cases

Houéto et al DOI

Measures to Be Reinforced by the Rcce Professionals

Findings

Conclusion