A South Africa coronavirus expert warns that hogging COVID-19 vaccines endangers all nations. As South Africa battles the new and more infectious new variant, the country’s leading pandemic expert urged wealthier nations not to hoard vaccine supplies.
According to South Africa’s Chair of coronavirus advisory panel, some countries are misled with the notion that they can be safe by vaccinating the entire population of their nation. However, he said “it is simply not true. In this world that we live in, with this coronavirus, no one is safe until everyone is safe.”
As per BBC, he warned of the risk if the pandemic continues to spread in countries that cannot vaccinate the entire population. With one country successfully controlling the spread of the virus while the rest of the world struggles to control the spread, he said there is no endgame to the pandemic.
He spoke to BBC that everyone must stand together in this pandemic.
The World Health Organization last year said that the world’s poorest and vulnerable countries must not be trampled in the rush for COVID vaccines.
Today, records with the Johns Hopkins University show over 1.4 million COVID-19 cases in South Africa.
Meanwhile, the UNICEF last week announced the signing of an advance purchase agreement with Pfizer for up 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine under COVAX initiative. COVAX is the global initiative to ensure rapid and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries regardless of income level.
Kinley Dem/ Tshering Dhendup
