The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned of a “deadly and devastating effect” when wealthy nations snapped up the COVID-19 vaccines and released a $ 110 million plan to support equitable distributions.
The humanitarian organization responds to crises and represents a network of almost 14 million volunteers worldwide. The IFRC issued a statement on Thursday, finding that almost 70% of vaccines have so far been sent to the 50 richest countries in the world, with only 1% of vaccinations going to the 50 poorest countries, according to the analysis itself of the IFRC.
“This is alarming because it is unfair and can prolong or even worsen this terrible pandemic,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC general secretary, in a press release. “Let me be clear: in the race to end this pandemic, we are all rowing in the same boat. We cannot sacrifice those most at risk in some countries so that those at least risk can be vaccinated in others.”
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Health experts said that widespread vaccination on a global scale will prevent emerging mutations and ultimately defeat the pandemic. IFRC repeated this, saying: “IFRC is warning that if large pockets of the globe remain unvaccinated, the COVID-19 virus will continue to circulate and mutate. This could lead to the emergence of variants that do not respond to vaccines, allowing the virus infects people who may have already been vaccinated. “
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The new plan announced on Thursday aims to help vaccination efforts for 500 million people by distributing vaccines, increasing confidence in vaccines, dispelling incorrect information and including isolated communities at the launch of immunization.
“Our plan is to ensure that these vaccines leave the capitals and reach the arms of vulnerable, at risk and isolated individuals and communities,” said Chapagain.
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The IFRC also supports a global initiative co-led by the World Health Organization, called COVAX, which works to accelerate the fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. WHO plans to launch 2 billion vaccines from various manufacturers by the end of 2021.
Agreements have already been established, or are in progress, to acquire millions of doses from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Serum Institute of India and Sanofi. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin spoke on Wednesday about plans to provide 10 million coronavirus vaccines to developing countries through COVAX as well.
Shipments are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2021.