India's decision to slow coronavirus vaccine exports will make it difficult for Africa to hit its year-end vaccination goal, the head of the continent's disease control body has said.

Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs produced by the Serum Institute of India represent the “backbone” of Africa's own vaccination campaign, John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), told a press conference, according to AFP.

The majority of the continent's doses have so far come from the Covax scheme, which aims to provide equitable access around the world and particularly in poorer countries.

“If those are delayed then we are unlikely to meet our targets,” Nkengasong said. “If the delay continues — and I really want to deliberately hope that it is a delay, not a ban because that would be catastrophic if that was the case — then meeting our vaccination schedule becomes problematic, very very problematic.”