World facing 'catastrophic' moral failure on vaccines: WHO chief
20 January, 2021
The world is on the "brink of a catastrophic moral failure" if rich countries hog Covid-19 vaccine doses while the poorest suffer, the top of the WHO said Monday.
World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus denounced the "me-first" attitude of wealthy nations and in addition blasted vaccine manufacturers for chasing regulatory approval found in rich countries instead of submitting their data to the WHO to green-light vaccine use globally.
He said the promise of worldwide equitable usage of vaccines against the coronavirus pandemic was now at serious risk, found in a speech found in Geneva opening a WHO executive board meeting.
Tedros said 39 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine had been administered up to now in at least 49 higher income countries.
Meanwhile, "only 25 doses have been given in a single lowest income country. Not really 25 million; not 25,000; simply 25," he said.
"I need to be blunt. The world can be on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure -- and the price tag on this failure will become paid out with lives and livelihoods in the world's poorest countries."
He said even while some countries pronounced reassuring words on equitable access, these were prioritising their own handles manufacturers, driving up prices and trying to jump the queue.
He said 44 such deals were struck in 2020 and at least 12 have been completely signed because the New Year.
"The problem is compounded by the actual fact that most manufacturers possess prioritised regulatory approval in rich countries where in fact the profits will be highest, instead of submitting full dossiers to WHO," Tedros said.
"Not merely does this me-first approach keep the world's poorest & most vulnerable persons at risk, it is also self defeating.
"Ultimately, these actions is only going to prolong the pandemic, prolong our pain, the restrictions had a need to own it, and human and economic suffering."
Source: japantoday.com
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