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Trickle-down vaccine access sets off a global Hunger Games that costs precious lives, money and extends the lifespan of this global pandemic.
It’s happening right now with #COVID19 vaccines, and it must be corrected and fast.
Trickle-down vaccine access sets off a global Hunger Games that costs precious lives, money and extends the lifespan of this global pandemic.
It’s happening right now with #COVID19 vaccines, and it must be corrected and fast.
Safe, effective vaccines will be key to ending the pandemic and reopening the global economy, but only if the most vulnerable, everywhere, have access to them. Right now, that’s just not the case.
The world’s wealthiest countries have bought over 50% of the most promising vaccine candidates despite having less than one-fifth of the world’s population.
Meanwhile the entire continent of Africa (1.2bn people) has secured contracts for roughly 900mn doses. The problem is many of these commitments aren't exactly firm and it’ll likely take years before the continent reaches its stage one goal to vaccinate 60% of its people.
Per the @WHO, of the 29 poorest countries, Guinea is the only one that has begun vaccinating. So far, they’ve vaccinated 55 people (not a typo) out of a population of 12 million.
For more on this, check out this good read from @mradamtaylor & @DPAQreport. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/01/26/guinea-covid-vaccinations-poor-countries/
For more on this, check out this good read from @mradamtaylor & @DPAQreport. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/01/26/guinea-covid-vaccinations-poor-countries/
#COVAX, a key tool for achieving global vaccine access, is facing 2 big hurdles: cash & competition.
COVAX has a funding gap of $2bn. This money is needed now, esp. as wealthy nations are striking bilateral deals w/manufacturers. As the global supply decreases, costs skyrocket.
COVAX has a funding gap of $2bn. This money is needed now, esp. as wealthy nations are striking bilateral deals w/manufacturers. As the global supply decreases, costs skyrocket.
It’s only natural that wealthy countries want to protect their own populations, but overbuying global supply will delay the COVID recovery — not just abroad but at home, too. Can anyone say variant?
It’s important to remember that those with the fewest means are often the hardest hit— even the smallest shocks to the system can trigger a vicious cycle of poverty & conflict. COVID wasn’t a small shock, it was giant — and one that could push over 200M ppl into extreme poverty.
. @POTUS took a big step last week by announcing the US will join #COVAX. But the US should go one step further: we should co-host an ACT-A pledging conference this spring to help #COVAX close its funding gap. US leadership has the power to play a catalytic & convening role.
Ensuring global access to vaccines = fewer deaths & quicker economic recovery for everyone, everywhere.
A @Northeastern study found there could be 2x as many #COVID19 deaths if wealthy countries monopolize the first 2bn doses instead of ensuring they are distributed globally.
A @Northeastern study found there could be 2x as many #COVID19 deaths if wealthy countries monopolize the first 2bn doses instead of ensuring they are distributed globally.
A new @iccwbo study found that if the world’s poorest countries go unvaccinated, the world’s wealthiest nations could suffer $9 trillion losses, more than the GDP of Japan and Germany combined.
A good read from @petersgoodman. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/business/coronavirus-vaccines-global-economy.html
A good read from @petersgoodman. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/23/business/coronavirus-vaccines-global-economy.html
Speaking about the threat of vaccine nationalism, @WHO Director General @DrTedros put it best: the world "is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/rich-countries-me-first-vaccine-hoarding-is-leaving-behind-low-income-nations/2021/01/23/3830e7d4-5c23-11eb-a976-bad6431e03e2_story.html
In short: Hoarding vaccines slows down the recovery for everyone. A comprehensive global vaccination campaign is our best — and frankly only hope for ending this pandemic.
It’s time for leaders to live up to their titles and start leading.
It’s time for leaders to live up to their titles and start leading.
