Global disparity in access to essential vaccines, says WHO report

(United Nations News) Limited supply and unequal vaccine distribution means that lower-income countries consistently struggle to access essential inoculations in demand by wealthier countries, according to the latest Global Vaccine Market Report, released on Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO).

It is the first to examine the implications of COVID-19 for vaccine markets and highlights the disparity in access around the world.

The report says that the way the global market is not fully conducive to the development, supply and access for essential vaccines – with some regions depending almost entirely on others for vaccine supply.

“The right to health includes the right to vaccines”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that the report “shows that free-market dynamics are depriving some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people of that right”.

WHO is calling for much-needed changes in vaccine distribution “to save lives, prevent disease and prepare for future crises”.

Read more at: United Nations News

Source: CARICOM TODAY