World facing catastrophic moral failure on vaccines: WHO chief

GENEVA: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation, said on Monday, January 18, that the world is on the ‘brink of a catastrophic moral failure’ as rich countries stock COVID-19 vaccines while poor countries are suffering. He criticised the selfish attitude of rich countries and vaccine manufacturers. He added that vaccine makers are chasing for the approval in comparatively rich countries instead of submitting their data to WHO so that the organisation can give green light for global use.

Dr Tedros, while delivering a speech in Geneva to initiate a WHO meeting, said that equitable access of vaccines to the world against the COVID-19 pandemic is ‘now at risk’. He added that almost 39 million doses of vaccine have been administered in 49 high income countries while just 25 doses have been given in one lowest income country. Even if some countries assured earlier regarding the equitable distribution of vaccine shots, they are undergoing personal deals with the manufacturers.

Dr Tedros said that he needs to be blunt regarding this as the world is facing a catastrophic moral failure and the price of this will be paid by lives and livelihoods in low income countries. He added that 44 such deals have been signed in 2020 and 12 more have already concluded since the new year.