CARICOM ‘deeply concerned’ at inequitable access to COVID vaccines

With no sign yet of COVID-19 vaccines for its members, CARICOM yesterday expressed “deep concern” at the “current prospect of inequitable access” to the jabs and said it will explore all available options to access them to protect its population.

CARICOM members are supposed to be supplied with vaccines under the World Health Organisation-led COVAX scheme but there is no sign yet of any breakthrough in procurement and in the meanwhile Western countries have begun mass inoculations with three available vaccines and other countries have begun using Russian and Chinese jabs.

In a statement, CARICOM said: “The reality is that small states will find it difficult to compete in the market place to ensure equitable access for vaccines. Given the transmissibility of the virus, all countries are vulnerable and should work together.

“The Caribbean Community therefore calls for a global summit in the context of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ACT-A Facilitation Council to discuss equitable access and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines”.

It added that the inextricable link economically, socially, and by virtue of travel with its neighbours and the international community, makes it imperative for CARICOM Member States to be afforded access to vaccines as a matter of urgent priority.

Notwithstanding the appeal for a global summit on equitability, CARICOM said that it will explore all available options to access vaccines in order to protect its population from the pandemic.