Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Ghebreyesus has called on countries and manufacturers to stop making bilateral deals for COVID-19 vaccines at the expense of COVAX, warning that the poorest and most marginalized countries may not get the vaccines.
The DG also urged high income countries that have contracted more vaccines than they will need, and are controlling the global supply, to release them to COVAX immediately.
Ghebreyesus who made this call at a news briefing on Friday, expressed concern that rich countries have bought up the majority of the supply of multiple vaccines and both high and middle-income countries, that are part of COVAX, are now making additional bilateral deals.
“This potentially bumps up the price for everyone and means high-risk people in the poorest and most marginalized countries don’t get the vaccine.
“So there’s a clear problem that low- and most middle-income countries are not receiving the vaccine yet” he said.
He added, “Going forward, I want to see manufacturers prioritise supply and rollout through COVAX. I urge countries and manufacturers to stop making bilateral deals at the expense of COVAX.
“No country is exceptional and should cut the queue and vaccinate all their population while some remain with no supply of the vaccine.
The DG also informed that the 2 billion vaccines it procured are now ready for deployment.
COVAX was et up by GAVI, CEPI and WHO in April last year to ensure equitable access to vaccines by low and middle income countries like Nigeria.
