Geneva, 23 October 2021 (TDI): World Health Organization announced the pledge of the G20 countries to donate vaccines on 21 October.
In total, the countries promised 1.2 billion vaccines to COVAX. This donation is to promote vaccine equity.
According to WHO, out of the 1.2 billion doses, they have only received 150 million. It also mentions that for most donations, the organization doesn’t have a timeline. That is because manufacturers have not communicated to WHO, how much COVAX will receive.
The Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom, stated that it is not possible to have equity without transparency.
The post also mentions that ahead of the G20 summit next week; WHO plans to publish a new Strategic Plan and Budget of 12 months.
According to Adhanom, it will set out the actions, and resources needed to achieve their targets. Adhanom then adds that the countries that have 40% of their population vaccinated. This includes the G20 countries. Tedros also added that G20 countries need to give their spot in the vaccine delivery queue to COVAX, and AVAT.
Adhanom urged the G20 members to fulfill their commitments and donate the promised doses. Tedros also called the Manufacturers to prioritize their contracts with COVAX, and AVAT; then he called them to be more transparent.
Adhanom stated that the members of the G20, have to share knowledge and technology. He added that they need to share licenses and waive intellectual property rights. According to Tedros, WHO calls for an investment in the global recovery. Finally, Adhanom mentioned that COVAX has the money, to buy COVID-19 vaccines.
COUNTRIES AT RISK
The G20 summit that Tedros refers to, will be in Rome. Adhanom also stated that between now, and then, 500 million doses will be produced. Then, he remarked that those doses are what is required to vaccinate 40% of the population to pursuit vaccine equity.
According to WHO, right now 82 countries are at risk of missing the target. Of those countries, 3/4 have insufficient supply. The other 1/4, have limitations to acquiring vaccines. Finally, Tedros stated that the barrier is not the product; it is politics and profit.
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