Coronavirus: Pandemic to last until 2022 due to unequal distribution of vaccines worldwide

The pandemic covid-19 "It will take a year longer than it should" because poor countries are not getting the vaccines they need, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

Dr Bruce Eylward, a WHO official, explained that this meant that the health crisis could "easily be extended until late in 2022".

Less than 5% of the African population is immunized against it covid-19, compared to 40% on most other continents.

Eilward called on rich countries to turn their backs on the poor so that pharmaceutical companies could prioritize lower-income countries.

The WHO official pointed out that rich countries should also check where they are in terms of their vaccine donations based on the commitments they have made.

"We are not on the right track"

"I can tell you that we are not on the right track," he said. "We really need to step up the pace, otherwise you know what will happen? "This pandemic will continue for a year longer than it should," he stressed.

A charity, the People's Vaccine, has released figures showing that only one in seven doses pledged by rich countries and pharmaceutical companies actually reach its destination.

The vast majority of vaccines against it covid-19 has been given to countries with high or above average incomes, while in Africa only 2,6% of the installments have been given worldwide.

in.gr