Mexico has pleaded with the UN Security Council that countries should stop suspending vaccines against Covid-19 as poorer people fall behind in the race to vaccinate their citizens.
Three-quarters of the first doses were administered to citizens in only ten countries, which account for 60% of global gross domestic product (GDP), said Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, while in more than 100 countries there are no vaccines yet. was not. applied at all.
“We call on countries to avoid tax vaccines and accelerate the early stages of Covax deliveries, to give priority to countries with fewer resources,” Ebrard told the council on Wednesday, of which Mexico is currently a member. is.
Ebrard said no vaccines have been distributed so far under the global Covax initiative. Officials from the Pan American health organization said on Wednesday that countries can expect confirmation of their Covax vaccine shipments soon, although the first groups are expected to be small.
A total of 190 countries have joined Covax, which aims to ensure equitable access to vaccines. The scheme is jointly managed by the Gavi Alliance, the WHO, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and Unicef.
“There is an urgent need to take action to stop the injustice being committed, because the safety of all mankind depends on it,” Ebrard said.
Mexico itself has signed agreements with several international pharmaceutical companies for millions of doses for 126 million people, amid worldwide delays and shortages of some vaccinations.