WHO boss denounces vaccine inequity

The head of the World Health Organization has denounced vaccine inequity, warning that it’s perpetuating the COVID-19 pandemic

WHO’s Director-General says more than 75 per cent of all vaccines have been administered in just 10 countries.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he understands that “every government wants to vaccinate its entire population” but that is leading to high-risk groups in other countries remaining vulnerable.


“Countries that vaccinate children and other low-risk groups now do so at the expense of health workers and high-risk groups in other countries,” Dr Tedros told the annual assembly of the World Health Organization.

He has called on Member States to support a “massive push” to vaccinate 10 percent of the population of every country by September, and 30% by the end of the year. 

“VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION”

Dr Tedros believes the world remains in a “very dangerous situation”, warning that no country should assume “it is out of the woods”, regardless of its vaccination rate.

The global health body chief says this is because the virus is constantly changing.  
“So far, no variants have emerged that significantly undermine the efficacy of vaccines…” Dr Tedros told the annual assembly of the World Health Organization.
But he cautions that there is “no guarantee that will remain the case”.