Despite the fact that there are no clear-cut dates or even a rough time frame as yet regarding arrival of the Covid vaccine, the ‘activities’ being resorted to by many of the rich nations have raised eyebrows. Using their financial prowess, these high-income countries have started an unethical game of placing advance orders of the vaccine that could leave millions of people in developing countries without the essential doses, thereby escalating the fear that a total banishment of the virus from the world will be well-nigh impossible. But this is a cruel reality in the making which has emerged from a study made by the researchers of the Duke University Health Innovation Centre in the US who have made a perfect analysis of the global Covid vaccine purchase agreements.

The main takeaway from the study is that by now, various high-income countries as well as some middle-income ones have already purchased 3.8 billion doses, with the window kept open for procurement of further 5 billion doses. This is the newest and sophisticated form of hoarding which will result in full vaccination of the entire populations of these comparatively wealthier nations at the cost of poorer countries who might have to wait at least for four more years to pull their people comprehensively out of the Covid danger! The report has been courageous enough to name the nations who have not given a second thought in participating in this most-unethical game, the long-term consequences of which might entail yet another global health disaster. Leading the ‘wrongdoers’ is Canada, which has ordered enough to vaccinate its population five times, followed by the US and the UK who have been relatively ‘kinder’ since their orders will cover their respective populations twice. Clearly, these morally incorrect activities, technically known as ‘advance purchase agreements’ undermines the WHO initiative which called for a global consensus-based cooperation to make sure there is an equitable distribution of the vaccine globally, irrespective of economic statuses of nations. And from this revelation it becomes clear now that the main players are unwilling to join hands in the war against coronavirus, the price of which might be quite hefty in near future.

Although the report puts India in a much better position compared to the more poorer African and Asian countries due to its pre-existing strength in domestic vaccine production capacity with the expectation also that there will be enough stock in the rollout’s early months, coverage of rural areas will be challenging as logistics and preservation via cold-chain facilities will be issues to be confronted.

But, it’s most unfortunate that the rich nations have taken the unprincipled act of hoarding to the level of an art.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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