Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the world was heading towards a “catastrophic moral failure” because of richer nations hoarding Covid-19 vaccines and urged countries and manufacturers to share doses fairly around the globe.
“The world is on the brink of catastrophic moral failure and the price of this failure will be paid by the lives and livelihoods of the poorest countries,” he said.
“More than 39 million doses of vaccine have now been administered in at least 49 higher-income countries. Just 25 doses have been given in one lowest-income country. Not 25 million; not 25 thousand; just 25,” he cited as an example of such inequality.
“COVAX is ready to deliver what it was created for. But in recent weeks I have heard from several Member States who have questioned whether COVAX will get the vaccines it needs, and whether high-income countries will keep the promises they have made. As the first vaccines begin to be deployed, the promise of equitable access is at serious risk,” he said further.
He noted that 44 bilateral deals were signed last year and at least 12 have already been signed this year. But he also remarked on the ground reality, saying, “As the first vaccines begin to be deployed, the promise of equitable access is at serious risk… we now face the real danger that even as vaccines bring hope to some, they become another brick in the wall of inequality between the world’s haves and have-nots,” he remarked.