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Covid vaccine: WHO warns of 'catastrophic moral failure' - BBC News

Covid vaccine: WHO warns of 'catastrophic moral failure' - BBC News

Covid vaccine: WHO warns of 'catastrophic moral failure' - BBC News
Jan 18, 2021 1 min, 42 secs

The world faces a "catastrophic moral failure" because of unequal Covid vaccine policies, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

He said over 39 million vaccine doses had been given in 49 richer states - but one poor nation had only 25 doses.

So far, China, India, Russia, the UK and the US have all developed Covid vaccines, with others being made by multinational teams - like the American-German Pfizer vaccine.

Speaking at a WHO executive board session on Monday, Dr Tedros said, "I need to be blunt: the world is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure - and the price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in the world's poorest countries.".

Dr Tedros said a "me-first" approach would be self-defeating because it would push up prices and encourage hoarding.

"My challenge to all member states is to ensure that by the time World Health Day arrives on 7 April, Covid-19 vaccines are being administered in every country, as a symbol of hope for overcoming both the pandemic and the inequalities that lie at the root of so many global health challenges," Dr Tedros said.

Reacting to Dr Tedros' warning, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "The UK is the world's biggest supporter, financial supporter, of the global programme to ensure access to vaccines in all countries in the world.".

Last month, the People's Vaccine Alliance coalition of campaigning bodies said that rich countries were hoarding doses of Covid vaccines and people living in poor countries were set to miss out.

In December, Karina Gould, Canada's minister of international development, denied allegations the country was hoarding vaccines, saying any discussion of a surplus was "hypothetical" as the doses had not been delivered.

She said Canada was providing C$485 million ($380 million; £280 million) to help developing countries cope with Covid-19.

It accuses richer nations of a "me-first" approach to Covid vaccine, and hoarding precious supplies?

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