WHO chief calls for Covid-19 vaccine to be shared as a public good
(VOVWORLD) - Vaccines for the new coronavirus should be made available as a global public good, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, to ensure everyone has fair access to any life-saving products that are developed.
 Covid-19 vaccine is tested at Novavax lab in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the US on March 20, 2020 (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Many leaders have promoted the idea of making any vaccine a global public good, but that should continue to be promoted, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference. He added that the leaders should have a truly global political commitment and global consensus before having the product.
Tedros was speaking after concerns have been raised that some countries could hoard any vaccines or drugs they develop to combat Covid-19, with poorer countries not getting access to the treatments they need.
Covid-19 cases now total 7.7 million globally, with deaths exceeding 420,000. Among that, 3.9 million cases have recovered from the infection.