The World Health Organization (WHO) has welcomed a move by the US government to support a temporary patent waiver on coronavirus vaccines, calling it a potential game-changer in fighting the pandemic.

Hundreds of millions more doses are needed, especially in poorer nations.

Although a sign of hope, it will take time for this move to have effect.

More countries still need to endorse this proposal – and the facilities that could produce them may need more equipment.

Six African countries have the capacity to manufacture vaccines - South Africa, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.

As richer nations get closer to vaccinating their entire populations, countries on the continent are struggling.

Uncertainty around future supplies and vaccine hesitancy are partly to blame.

The vaccine alliance, Gavi, and the WHO are optimistic that India will lift its vaccines export ban before June – and hopefully supplies will resume.

Just 16 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Africa. This accounts for just 1% of the global total.