- The vaccine inequity bogging the universe is getting manifested in the form of the emergence of new variants from different corners. With the announcement of a new variant of concern, named Omicron, by the World Health Organization, the global community must be feeling jittery as several countries are already reeling under the impact of the fourth and fifth Covid waves ravaging mercilessly. As such, the global costs of leaving Africa to fend for itself despite plentiful vaccine supply are adding up as the Omicron variant reverses the recovery in air travel. As you are aware, the Indian Government which was all set to resume international travel from 15th December 2021 has reversed its decision no sooner Omicron variant made its unwelcome presence felt global.
PC: Spencer Kimball
- Mind you, the WHO right from the beginning of the pandemic and subsequent invention of the vaccine has been fervently pleading with rich nations as well as top vaccine producers like India to maintain equity. And those please obviously fell on deaf ears partly owing to pressing exigencies at home but largely because of lack of urgency, understanding, and decisive leadership from rich countries. Note that against the global average of 43% people fully vaccinated, the African CDC reports that the continent has just 6.7% of the population fully vaccinated and 9.9%, partially. With such a humongous population remaining in the unvaccinated pool, a potent mutant strain emerging from here is not surprising at all.
- Needless to mention, a massive effort to accelerate vaccination in Africa, where the adult population is 700 million, must start now. The Delta variant that swamped India in April-June took five months from detection to create a tidal wave. If Omicron is more contagious, time is running short for sure. The rich countries and others must step up quickly to arrest the spread. The news reports suggest that the US has 110 million unused doses and European Union 200 million doses, even accounting for booster shots. India has 250 million doses with states. Unfortunately, India’s supplies to Africa will be constrained by the fact that only 32% of its population is fully vaccinated and boosters and children’s jabs have not started as yet.
PC: Associated Press
- Unbelievably, the US reportedly destroyed at least 15 million doses between March-September. Also, its trade curbs on key raw materials had dented vaccine production too. As can be seen, the US has been the worst offender in more ways than one. It is relevant to note that only 55% of the 400 million doses supplied to Africa have been administered but this number does not tell the whole story. Mind you, a well-planned rollout of vaccines has been impossible because of irregular supply. Apparently, poor, and under-resourced countries cannot be expected to keep a vast network of vaccination centres as well as ancillary facilities including hired contract workers in perpetual readiness without certainty of vaccine deliveries.
- As reported, 55 million doses of anti-Covid vaccines are manufactured globally daily. Thus, big countries including India must set aside more doses for low-income countries. If not, the new virus variant is bound to emerge perpetually till the last man standing is not fully vaccinated. Expeditious action will go a long way in mitigating the potentially scary scenario.
