UNICEF, the children’s rights organization of the United Nations, is calling on rich countries to donate corona vaccines to the international vaccine program Covax now that India is severely restricted in its production.
“Sharing immediately available excess doses is a minimal, essential and urgent emergency action, and it is needed now,” said UNICEF executive Henrietta Fore, who emphasized that G7 countries can help prevent vulnerable countries from becoming new hotspots.
The richest countries in the world can afford to donate more than 150 million vaccines to countries in need without hindering their own vaccination programs. The emergency measure would be necessary now that the Indian corona wave exports of AstraZeneca vaccines to poor countries paralyzes.
‘India is a harbinger’
“We have repeatedly warned of the risks that arise if we let go of our vigilance and fail to give low- and middle-income countries fair access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics,” says Fore. “We fear the deadly spike in India foreshadows what will happen if those warnings are not heeded.”
Fore also emphasizes that the situation in India is far from unique. ‘In countries nearby – such as Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives – and far away – such as Argentina and Brazil – cases of disease are exploding and health systems are struggling. The costs for children and families will be incalculable. ‘
Shortage of 190 million vaccines
The world leaders of the G7 (the consultations between the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Japan, France, Germany and Italy) will meet in the United Kingdom in June. By then, the shortage of vaccines to be distributed to poor countries through the Covax program will reach 190 million, according to Unicef.
World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus last Friday called on rich countries to postpone their plans to vaccinate children for the time being. According to him, poor countries currently have more need to the vaccines.
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