In the quest to eliminate COVID-19, the global community needs to be vaccinated. But as richer countries buy up the vaccine supply and booster campaigns begin, the vaccine inequality gap is growing bigger.
Less than 1% of people are fully vaccinated In low-income countries, compared to 55% in rich countries, according to Amnesty International.
The organization warns, the six leading companies behind COVID-19 vaccine production are fueling vaccine inequality by refusing to boost the global supply.
AstraZeneca, BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer are failing to prioritize deliveries to low-income countries and won’t waive intellectual property rights or share vaccine technology, says Amnesty International.
What would it take to get more shots in arms world wide?
Nicole Hassoun, a Professor at Binghamton University and Director of the Global Health Impact Project, says vaccines shouldn't be politicized.
We need a coordinated, global response to COVID-19, not just for vaccine distribution but also the supplies and help needed to administer them.
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