Vaccination campaigns against the SARS-CoV-2 virus are running at different speeds worldwide. There are apparent differences between western and emerging countries. Countries such as Israel and the U.S have more than 70 % of the population vaccinated, while some African and Asian countries have just administered the first dose to health providers and frontline workers. Experts fear that the discrepancy might worsen if most western countries decide to approve a third shot for the general population.
More people will die if the Covid-19 vaccines are not shared
A recent article states that the head of the Oxford vaccine group believes that there will be many more deaths worldwide due to the coronavirus. This could happen if developed countries do not share vaccine doses with emerging countries. Many people in third world countries have not received any vaccine dose.
A humanitarian crisis that needs to be stopped
Seth Berkley, chief executive of Gavi and Prof Sir Andrew Pollard, declared that underdeveloped countries would not have enough doses to offer to frontline workers if developed countries start hoarding vaccine doses for a booster shot. A new humanitarian crisis could begin triggering many deaths. The situation is described as the biggest humanitarian crisis that could unfold, and it will remain a stain on our history.
What are the WHO recommendations?
The World Health Organization wants the approved Covid-19 vaccines to be available to everyone worldwide, and there are several documents published to guide authorities in this process. An important concept mentioned in the guidelines is called equitable distribution. Considering the outbreaks, the WHO wants to ensure that vaccines are distributed correctly and equitably to all countries. To avoid hoarding and an increase in vaccine prices, the WHO recommends an international plan for vaccine distribution. The WHO does not recommend a third dose until the end of September, if not later on.
