With COVID-19 vaccines on the horizon, the planet’s poorest must not be trampled as countries scramble to get their hands on them, the World Health Organization said Monday. There is now real hope that vaccines in combination with other tried and tested public health measures, will help to end the pandemic,” said Tedros. Tedros said $4.3 billion was needed immediately to support the mass procurement and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments, while a further $23.8 billion would be needed in 2021. “The real question is not whether the world can afford to share COVID-19 vaccines and other tools; it’s whether it can afford not to,” said Tedros. Leaders at the virtual G20 summit said Sunday they would “spare no effort” to ensure fair distribution of coronavirus vaccines, but the united front was punctured by Angela Merkel who voiced concern about slow progress.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 24, 2020 06:56 UTC