The path to global immunity has become a hot topic nowadays. In fact, it’s almost too hot to touch because of the political polemic raging. So we won’t add our dime to the debate, except to observe mass global vaccination seems the way forward. On June 7, 2021 WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus asked ‘should vaccine makers donate 50% to COVAX of their production?
Is Sharing Vaccines Essential for Ending the Acute Phase?
‘Sharing vaccines now is essential for ending the acute phase of the pandemic,’ Ghebreyesus told reporters that Monday. ‘But it’s also clear that in an emergency, low-income countries cannot rely solely on imports of vaccines from wealthier nations.’
Therefore he suggests vaccine makers should donate 50% of their production to COVAX. And that COVAX should act as impartial administrator feeding those vaccine supplies to nations fairly.
By his calculation, we should then be able to vaccinate 30% of the world’s population by December 31, 2021. That number provides an idea of the scale of the challenge. To be honest, it nearly rocked our computers off the desk, so to say.
How Urgently Should Vaccine Makers Donate 50% to COVAX?
World Bank warned the coronavirus pandemic is ‘clouding the economic outlook, as Europe and Asia grapple to contain it’. Moreover, resurgent waves have ‘interrupted the incipient economic recovery of many countries’.
Furthermore, the WHO leader told the world’s leading G7 nations ‘COVID-19 vaccination coverage of at least 80% is needed. In order to significantly lower the risk that ‘imported’ coronavirus cases could spawn a cluster, or a wider outbreak like those linked to new variants.’
Supplying directly from source to user is fast becoming the most efficient business model. Using COVAX as facilitator appears to make a deal of sense too. We wonder who would pay for the production and shipping costs of the vaccines, and hope this does not become a sticking point.
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