COVAX programme delivers 1 billion doses to poorer countries
The Hindu
WHO flags hoarding/stockpiling in rich countries, and a lack of sharing of licenses, technology and know-how by pharmaceutical companies
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Sunday that a UN-backed programme shipping coronavirus vaccines to many poor countries has now delivered 1 billion doses, but that milestone “is only a reminder of the work that remains” after hoarding and stockpiling in rich countries.
A shipment of 1.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Rwanda on Saturday included the billionth dose supplied via the COVAX programme, the U.N. health agency said.
WHO has long criticised unequal distribution of vaccines and called for manufacturers and other countries to prioritise COVAX. It said that, as of Thursday, 36 of its 194 member countries had vaccinated less than 10% of their population and 88 had vaccinated less than 40%.