Madagascar takes last stand on coronavirus vaccine, refuses immunization

Madagascar has affirmed its decision not to participate in the Covax global initiative for the access to Covid-19 vaccine once they have been approved and licensed.

The government spokesperson confirmed the island will resort to its traditional concoction that its own scientist discovered earlier this year to stem out the virus.

He further said that they were waiting to see the effectiveness of the vaccine first in the countries that will first use it.

The tonic, based on the plant Artemisia annua which has anti-malarial properties, was not proven by the World Health Organization but had put it on sale to several African countries.

Vaccines in Madagascar have never been popular among the general population. The island in 2018 was among the last four countries in the world registering polio cases from its stance on vaccines.