downtoearth-subscribe

COVID-19: make it the last pandemic

COVID-19 vaccine distribution has been largely concentrated in higher income countries, despite dire need in conflict-affected areas as more transmissible COVID-19 variants drive up cases and intensify pressure on already strained health systems. Inequitable vaccine access has seen the US, UK and the EU each pre-purchase enough approved COVID-19 doses to vaccinate their populations more than twice over; excess doses could vaccinate people aged 16 and over of all 20 of the IRC's 2021 Emergency Watchlist countries. With the release of the final report of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, the IRC is calling for G7 and G20 countries to commit excess vaccine doses and funding to crisis-affected countries.

Related Content