WHO director calls for easing of vaccine hurdles for developing nations

The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) director-general today called on vaccine makers and countries to take steps to ensure that low- and middle-income countries aren’t shut out of receiving vaccine supply. The move comes amid news of a European Union deal with Pfizer that would give countries in the region nearly half of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine output for 2021. Warnings against vaccine nationalism Tedros Adhanom Gheybreyesus, WHO’s director-general, said the WHO-led COVAX initiative has contracts to secure 2 billion doses and the right of first refusal for 1 billion more. Currently, 42 countries—only 6 of them middle-income countries—are rolling out vaccines. And though many lower-income countries are ready to receive vaccine, they’re not yet receiving any, because high-income countries have bought up most of it. “Now we’re also seeing both high- and middle-income countries, that are part of COVAX, making additional bilateral deals,” Tedros said, adding that the actions could boost the price for everyone...