Prevent vaccine nationalism

‘ Vaccine nationalism’ should be prevented, the DirectorGeneral of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told the media recently, critical of countries which were attempting to produce a vaccine, hoard it and then give it only to countries which have funding but depriving others.

Pointing out that since May, the WHO has been in extensive consultations to develop a new framework to guide fair and equitable access to diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19 across all countries, he said that once a successful vaccine has been identified, the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group will provide recommendations for their appropriate and fair use.

The allocation of vaccines is proposed to be rolled out in two phases – doses to be allocated proportionally to all participating countries simultaneously to reduce overall risk and consideration to be given to countries in relation to their threat and vulnerability.