Vaccine Disparity: WHO Urges Rich Countries to Share Boosters with Poor Nations

Strategic Insights -

World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged pharmaceutical companies to prioritize supplying COVID-19 vaccines to poor countries instead of lobbying rich countries to use additional doses as boosters. The WHO's appeal comes as pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Moderna, seek authorization for third doses to be used as boosters in some Western countries. Tedros called the world's grotesque vaccine disparity "driven by greed" and appealed for a shift in priorities to vaccinate people who have yet to receive a single dose.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WHO director-general has expressed concerns over the vaccine disparity driven by "greed," with the majority of doses reserved by rich countries and leaving poor countries struggling to access vaccines.
  • Tedros has called on Pfizer and Moderna to supply COVAX, the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, and low and middle-income countries with very little coverage, emphasizing the need to prioritize vaccination efforts.
  • The WHO's chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, has stated that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that boosters are definitely needed, suggesting that WHO recommendations should be based on science and data.
  • Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO's emergencies chief, has expressed disappointment over the failure to increase vaccine manufacturing capacity and the refusal of rich countries to share shots with poor countries, labeling it "morally repugnant" for healthy, vaccinated individuals to receive booster shots before vulnerable populations in poor countries.
  • Tom Hart, acting CEO of the ONE campaign, has echoed these sentiments, stating that the idea of booster shots is "outrageous" given the explosive spread of COVID-19 in some African countries, with only 1% of people in poor countries having received even one COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Statistics:

  • Global COVID-19 deaths have flattened after a 10-week drop, with the WHO warning of a steady increase in daily deaths.
  • The delta variant is "driving catastrophic waves of cases" and is largely responsible for the surge in infections worldwide.
  • Pfizer has agreed to supply small amounts of their vaccines to COVAX, but the vast majority of their doses have been reserved by rich countries.
  • Nearly 60 poor countries are stalled in their vaccination efforts, with their biggest vaccine supplier unable to share any doses until the end of the year.

Sources:

  • AP news wire article "WHO urges rich countries to share booster shots with poor nations" (undated)
  • WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus statement (August 2)
  • Dr. Soumya Swaminathan interview with AP news wire (August 2)
  • Dr. Michael Ryan statement with AP news wire (August 2)
  • Tom Hart interview with AP news wire (August 2)