Where we live must not dictate whether we get offered Covid vaccine this year

There is no justification for stockpiling supplies or retaining patents, says Sally Foster-fulton

Awave of emotion mixed with gratitude. That’s what many people report feeling when they get their first Covid-19 jag. I know I did. A needle prick, a few seconds of slight discomfort and then a huge sense of relief. What is granted, in those few seconds, is first and foremost protection from a virus that has changed our lives beyond recognition and then, freedom, to start to live life again in its fullness. And yet, the initial elation fades. We are not truly safe until everyone is safe.

Thousands of people are still dying from c ovid -19 globally everyday. at the G7, the leaders of some of the world’s biggest economies promised to help vaccinate the world, providing one billion doses over the next year. But we need to go faster. We know the vaccine

offers good protection but its rollout in so many countries is painfully slow. Across Africa as a whole just over two per cent of the population have been vaccinated so far. According to the Who there is an urgent need for another 200 million doses so that the continent can vaccinate a mere ten percent of its population by September.

Recently nearly 150 global faith leaders, as part of action by the people' s vaccine alliance, released a statement calling for an end to vaccine nationalism and a rejection of greed. the letteroverwhelming sentiment that this is ultimately about our common humanity, saying :‘ the access of people to life-saving covid-19 vaccines cannot be dependent on people’ s wealth, status, or nationality. we can not abdicate our responsibilities to our brothers and sisters by imagining that the market

can be left to resolve the crisis, or pretend to ourselves that our country has no obligation to people in their country. Every person is precious.’

Everypersonisprecious.vaccinejustice impacts the health of the world. There can be no justification for stockpiling vaccine supplies or continued refusals to remove patents. Where we live shouldn’t dictate whether we get offered a vaccine this year. Crippling debtrepaymentsshouldnotprejudice investment in fragile health systems and vaccine provision. The reinstatement of the 0.7 per cent international aidbudgetandtheurgentcancellation of debts for lower income countries is imperative.

At the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly last month, the new Moderator, Lord Wallace, raised his voice for vaccine justice and backed Christianaid’sgivethanksappeal:“thisis

an opportunity to give thanks in a very tangible way. In a quest for global justice, here is a practical opportunity to give real expression in 2021 to loving our global neighbours.”

As we acknowledge the immense feeling of gratitude for our vaccines and our NHS, let’s not forget those vulnerable communities still waiting for theirs.let’sensurethatwhiletheywait, wecontinuetosupportthemasbestwe can,withaccesstothebasics:soapand water, food and vital health information.

Whether your jag was in January or June let’s keep showing gratitude and raising our voices for vaccine justice. For the sake of our global neighbours and for future generations. If you would liketosupportchristianaid’sgive Thanks Appeal please go to: caid. org.uk/oj

Sally Foster-fulton, Head of Christian Aid Scotland