WHO chief says world on brink of 'catastrophic moral failure' as rich nations hog vaccines

world is on “brink of catastrophic moral failure’ if rich countries hog COVID-19 vaccine doses while poorest suffer, he of World Health Organization said on January 18. Tedros ham Gebreyesus has many times called upon rich countries to refrain from practising vaccine nationalism and ensure equitable distribution. However, a recent report by WHO’s European Brach has revealed that most of vaccine doses were being delivered only in 10 nations including US, Britain, Israel amongst ors.

'Just 25 vaccine doses to poor'

Lambasting wealthy nations for ir “Me first” attitude, Director-General stressed that nearly 39 million doses of coronavirus vaccine h been ministered so far in only 49 higher-income countries. However, he ded that "just 25 doses have been given in one lowest-income country. t 25 million; t 25,000; just 25.”  Speaking furr at a WHO executive board meeting, Ghebreyesus said that it was time for him to be blunt that price of world’s moral failure would be paid by destitute.

"I need to be blunt. world is on brink of a catastrophic moral failure -- and price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in world's poorest countries."

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In his speech, he also slammed vaccine manufacturers for chasing regulatory approval in rich countries rar than submitting ir data to WHO to green-light vaccine use globally. In a bid to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines, WHO has launched COVAX.  COVAX is one of three pillars of Access to COVID-19 tools (ACT) Accelerator which aims at providing invative and equitable access to COVID-19 diagstics, treatment and vaccine.

Last week,  World Health Organization (WHO) h asserted that 95 per cent of vaccine doses ministered so far have been limited to only 10 countries. In a statement later, European branch of health ncy also listed out top benefactors naming US, UK, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Russia, Germany, Spain and Cana as recipients of most doses. Speaking at a virtual Press Briefing for same, Hans Kluge, WHO's regional director for Europe said that organization cant simply “afford” to leave any country, any community behind. 

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