Ivory Coast among handful of nations in Africa that received vaccines from Finland, not any longer. 

Many nations have extra doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and have since been donating them to other countries in need. However, the free vaccinations are only being considered by a small number of countries at this time.

The Covid vaccination has been given to other nations via a global distribution system that has given about three million doses. However, as the need for the dosages has diminished, it has become increasingly difficult to locate countries willing to take donations.

Top adviser of health affairs now at Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Sari Ekholm stated the African Union now longer does not receive vaccinations from the EU, among other things.

AstraZeneca Covid vaccines began being donated by Europe in November 2021, after nations such as Finland ceased utilizing the vaccines.

It was stated in October that Finland will no longer use AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria vaccine by the end of November, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Concerns regarding the vaccine's safety, both in Finland and elsewhere, arose after reports of rare incidents of blood clots in persons who received the shots.

AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, as well as other general vaccinations, have been denied by various African countries this year because supply currently exceeds need.

"People in many African nations don't trust AstraZeneca, and sadly they don't believe everything brought to them through the West," said Eija Limnell, a senior Finland diplomat.

Countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East have received Finland's donated vaccines. Ivory Coast received its first shipment of vaccinations back in October; the next six countries to get the vaccines include Ethiopia and Nigeria; a minor amount of vaccine was also sent to Syria.

However, the demand of vaccines in Ivory Coast and other neighboring nations has come down drastically in recent days. Consequently, Finland finds itself with a surplus of vaccines. 

A worldwide organization named Covax — meaning Covid-19 Vaccinations Global Access — manages and distributes the funds, which are aimed at ensuring equal access to Coronavirus vaccines.

According to Limnell, Finland's gifts are largely delivered to countries that are in a vulnerable and impoverished state.