Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines in the fight against infectious diseases. However, the rollout of vaccines in Africa has been slow and uneven. This study uses synthetic control and comparative analysis to examine the factors that have contributed to differences in vaccine enrollment in African countries. Using data from the World Health Organization and other sources, we constructed a synthetic control group of countries that were similar in African countries in terms of demographic, economic, and health characteristics. We then used a difference-in-differences approach to compare the vaccine enrollment rates of each African country with its synthetic control group. Our analysis showed that government support, health infrastructure, and access to vaccines were significant factors that contributed to differences in vaccine enrollment rates in African countries. Countries with stronger government support and better health infrastructure tended to have higher vaccine enrollment rates. Access to vaccines, including availability, affordability, and distribution, was also a significant factor. Additionally, the use of synthetic control and comparative analysis can provide valuable insights into the factors that contribute to differences in vaccine enrollment rates in different countries. In conclusion, the slow and uneven rollout of vaccines in Africa has been a significant challenge in the fight against COVID-19. Policymakers and public health officials should prioritize efforts to strengthen health infrastructure, provide greater government support for vaccine rollout efforts, and improve access to vaccines. The use of synthetic control and comparative analysis can provide valuable insights into the factors that contribute to differences in vaccine enrollment rates in different countries, and should be considered in future research.

Keywords: Synthetic control; Comparatives studies; COVID-19 vaccines; Enrollment