‘Vaccines should be a global shared asset’

COVID-19 vaccines should be considered a shared asset of the international community, and delivered to countries at affordable prices with priority given to vulnerable groups and frontline workers, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said.

He made the statement during a virtual open debate of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on ensuring equitable access to vaccines in places affected by conflicts and insecurity on Wednesday.

He called on the international community to implement a strategy on pandemic response and vaccination, saying the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Covax) mechanism needs more support from countries so vaccines can be distrusted equitably to developing countries and people in conflict-hit areas.

He said ensuring an environment of peace and stability, and protecting essential infrastructure are key factors to vaccine universalisation.

He proposed the UNSC step up the implementation of Resolution 2532, especially the call for a global ceasefire, considering this a prerequisite for the UN and other bodies to deliver vaccines for humanitarian purposes.

Resolution 2532, adopted on July 1, 2020, supports a global ceasefire and calls for an immediate humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days to allow humanitarian assistance to be delivered.

Minh stressed that the international community needs to deal with the root cause of conflicts, uncertainties and inequalities while engaging in global multi-lateral efforts led by the UN to build a strong and self-reliant medical system and boost development cooperation, and global trade postCovid-19.

He said the enhanced solidarity and multilateral cooperation, both regionally and globally, would help cope with the pandemic.

He pledged that as an active member of Asean and the UN, Vietnam will make more contributions to joint efforts in the pandemic fight.