World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has accused “some high-income countries” of boycotting the COVAX mechanism, which aims to distribute just vaccines against COVID-19.
“Currently, some high-income countries are signing contracts with vaccine manufacturers that are undermining the agreements that COVAX has in place and reducing the number of doses COVAX can buy,” he denounced at a news conference this Monday from Geneva, Switzerland.
Tedros has criticized that money is not the only obstacle poorer countries face in gaining access to vaccines. “If there are no vaccines for sale, money is irrelevant. Even if we have the resources, we can only supply vaccines to the poorest countries if high-income countries cooperate in meeting the commitments made by COVAX, and the new agreements you make, ‘has loaded hard.
That is why he claims that this is “not a matter of charity” but of epidemiology. “If we don’t end the COVID-19 pandemic everywhere, we won’t end anything. The longer the virus circulates, the more opportunities it will have to change so that vaccines are less effective. Therefore, for all countries, too. those with high incomes are interested in ensuring that health workers, the elderly and other at-risk groups are the first to receive vaccines against COVID-19 worldwide, ”he claimed.
To accomplish this, Tedros pointed out that “more funding is needed, countries share doses immediately, manufacturers are prioritizing contracts with COVAX, and also a significant increase in COVID-19 vaccine production.” “More COVID-19 vaccines are being developed, approved and produced. There will be enough for everyone. But for now and for the rest of this year, vaccines will be a limited resource. We need to use them as strategically as possible.” he added.
On the other hand, Tedros welcomed several G7 countries and the European Union pledging to contribute $ 4.3 billion in new funds to fund the equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics and therapies for COVID-19. Several G7 countries have also committed to share doses of COVAX.
“I want to express my deep appreciation to the G7 leaders for these contributions. These funds and donations bring us a little closer to our goal of vaccinating health workers and the elderly in all countries in the first 100 days of 2021. The G7 countries have demonstrated their leadership, but we need all countries to move forward. We still have a deficit of at least $ 22.9 billion to fully fund this mechanism, “added Tedros.