The boss of the World Health Organisation has urged wealthy countries to delay the booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine
Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged rich countries with an excess supply of COVID vaccines to hold-off booster shots for the rest of the year.
He urged rich nations to delay booster shots until 2022 to allow poor counties to access the vaccine.
Ghebreyesus expanded on an earlier request that was initially, largely ignored.
The WHO boss spoke to reporters on Wednesday in Geneva and stated that he was “appalled” at comments made by a leading association of pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Those comments, made a day earlier, stated that vaccine supplies are high enough to allow for both booster shots and vaccinations in desperate countries that need vaccines.
“I will not stay silent when companies and countries that control the global supply of vaccines think the world’s poor should be satisfied with leftovers,”
Ghebreyesus said.
FILE PHOTO: Ethiopian Airlines staff unload AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines under the COVAX scheme against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from a cargo plane at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 7, 2021. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo
Rich nations are set to have a major surplus of COVID-19 vaccines
Wealthy countries could potentially have a surplus of more than one billion vaccine doses by the end of the year that aren’t set to be donated to poorer countries.
According to new research, COVID vaccine stock in Western nations has now reached 500 million doses this month alone, with 360 million not marked to be donated, according to the research conducted by data analytics firm Airfinity.
Airfinity stated that by the end of the year, these countries will have a potential of 1.2 billion surplus vaccine shots, with the overwhelming majority – 1.06 billion – not marked for donations.
The full Airfinity report, focuses on the available supply of vaccines in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and Japan.
Anthony Lucas is reporter, presenter and social media producer with ticker News. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Professional Communication, with a major in Journalism from RMIT University as well as a Diploma of Arts and Entertainment journalism from Collarts. He’s previously worked for 9 News, ONE FM Radio and Southern Cross Austerio’s Hit Radio Network.
Victoria’s Secret is facing backlash after issuing an apology to a transgender woman who had a negative experience while trying on bras at one of their stores.
The incident has ignited a debate about inclusivity and sensitivity in the fashion industry.
The controversy began when the trans woman, who remains anonymous, visited a Victoria’s Secret store to shop for bras. She reported feeling uncomfortable and discriminated against by store staff.
In response to her complaint, Victoria’s Secret issued an apology, acknowledging the incident and expressing their commitment to diversity and inclusion.
However, the apology itself has come under fire from both supporters and critics.
Some argue that the brand’s apology is insincere and merely an attempt to save face, while others believe it is a step in the right direction towards a more inclusive shopping experience for all customers.
The incident raises important questions about how brands should handle situations involving discrimination and whether their apologies are genuine or performative.
It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals when accessing spaces traditionally designed for cisgender customers.
As the fashion industry continues to evolve, many are calling for a deeper examination of inclusivity and sensitivity, not just in policies but in practice.
Despite a decrease in overall personnel numbers, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has seen a notable increase in senior officers, leading to concerns about its top-heavy structure.
In recent years, the ADF has undergone significant downsizing efforts, resulting in a reduced total workforce.
However, a closer look at the numbers reveals a surprising trend – a growing number of senior officers within the organization.
The rise in senior officers has raised questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of the ADF’s hierarchy.
Critics argue that a top-heavy structure may hinder decision-making and resource allocation, potentially impacting the ADF’s operational capabilities.
Is the increase in senior officers a deliberate strategy, or is it the result of unintended consequences from downsizing efforts?
What implications does a top-heavy structure have on the ADF’s ability to respond to evolving security challenges?
Are there plans to rebalance the officer-to-enlisted personnel ratio within the ADF?
India has been grappling with a significant challenge in its energy sector as hydroelectric power generation has experienced a sharp decline.
This shift in the energy landscape has forced the nation to increasingly turn to coal as an alternative source of power.
The dwindling water resources and changing weather patterns have led to a decrease in hydro generation, posing a pressing dilemma for the country’s energy sustainability.
With India’s growing population and expanding industries, a steady and reliable power supply is crucial.
However, the drop in hydroelectric power output due to factors like reduced rainfall and glacial melting has strained the nation’s electricity grid.
As a result, coal-fired power plants have become a more prevalent choice to bridge the energy gap, despite concerns about environmental impact and carbon emissions.