UNICEF
Covid vaccine: UNICEF emphasises speed, simplicity to remove barriers
UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore has said they need speed and simplicity to remove barriers to the acquisition, manufacture and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear to us all that no one is safe until everyone is safe. But equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is within our grasp," She said in a statement on Tuesday.
She said they have proven that the world can rally to do the unthinkable, and we need to do it again. "The sooner we do, the sooner our lives, and the lives of our children, will go back to normal.”
In a little over a year, the world’s scientists, businesses, governments, philanthropists and multilateral institutions rallied and did the unthinkable, Fore said.
They created vaccines to fight a virus that had brought the world to a standstill. And they tested, transported and began to administer those vaccines safely and in record time. "This is nothing short of astounding," she said.
“But the fight is not yet over,” Fore said. “Variants are emerging all over the world, and with each, the risk of a massive global setback."
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At the current rate, there is simply not enough vaccine supply to meet demand. And the supply available is concentrated in the hands of too few.
Some countries have contracted enough doses to vaccinate their populations several times, while other countries have yet to receive even their first dose.
"This threatens us all. The virus and its mutations will win," Fore said.
In order to get ahead of the virus, and to shift gears, she said, they must build on a strategy of vaccinating frontline workers but drive towards a strategy that truly enables equitable access for all.
The governments, businesses and partners were urged to take three urgent actions:
First, simplify Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) through voluntary and proactive licensing by IPR holders.
Also read: UNICEF launches COVID-19 vaccine market dashboard to ensure fair access
But this alone won’t increase production. Unlike drug manufacture, vaccine production involves a complex manufacturing process with multiple components and steps.
IPR holders would need to provide technology partnerships to accompany IP licenses, proactively share know-how and sub-contract to manufacturers without undue geographic or volume restrictions.
This challenge requires not forced IP waivers but proactive partnership and cooperation. Recent manufacturing partnerships such as Pfizer-BioNtech; AZ-SII, J&J- Merck and J&J-Aspen are encouraging examples.
UNICEF urged others to follow suit, to increase the scale and geographic diversity of manufacturing capacity.
“While markets alone can’t guarantee innovation benefits all, voluntary licensing, pooled funds and multilateral mechanisms such as COVAX are an effective and realistic way for product developers and manufacturers to collaborate, innovate, and encourage equitable access," Fore said.
“Second, we need to end vaccine nationalism. Governments should remove direct and indirect export- and import-control measures that block, restrict or slow down exports of COVID-19 vaccines, ingredients and supplies. Viruses respect no borders. Defeating COVID-19 in each of our home countries also means defeating it around the world by ensuring a steady flow of vaccines and supplies to all."
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Finally, Fore said, governments that have contracted to receive more ‘future doses’ than required to vaccinate their entire adult populations this year, should immediately loan, release or donate most or all excess contracted doses for 2021 to COVAX, so they can be allocated equitably among other countries.
“In addition, countries with a sufficient, current supply of manufactured doses should consider donating at least 5% of their available manufactured doses right away, and commit to making further contributions on a continued, rolling basis throughout the year, scaling up their contributions in line with rising supply. Confirming these dose-sharing commitments now will enhance predictability, accelerate equitable access, and help stabilise the global vaccine market."
Let Rohingya children live as full members of society: Unicef
Unicef has renewed its call on all relevant parties and governments to ensure a long-term solution where Rohingya children and their families should be able to live as full members of society in peace and harmony with their neighbours back at home in Myanmar.
“Amidst this latest round of displacement, Unicef urges the international community to step up its funding support for their immediate as well as longer-term needs," said Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore in a statement on Friday on the recent fire at Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar.
Fore said the fire is only the latest tragedy to hit Rohingyas and it has now been almost four years since 725,000 people were forced to flee their homes in Myanmar, bringing with them tales of unspeakable horror.
Unicef’s partners have delivered emergency water, sanitation and hygiene supplies and water services to the camps.
"Our mobile medical teams are providing first aid support to people who have suffered burns, cuts and other injuries," Fore said.
Unicef offered its deepest condolences to the families of Rohingya refugees killed and injured by the fire in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, as well as to the 50,000 refugees – half of whom are children – displaced by the disaster.
“The fire, which quickly spread across four Rohingya refugee camps on March 22, is believed to have claimed the lives of at least 11 people, including 3 children. Over 50 children remain separated from their families and 300 people are unaccounted for," Fore said.
As firefighters extinguish the last embers of the blaze, Unicef teams are on the ground responding to the needs of children and families.
Also read: Dhaka seeks global community's constructive role in early Rohingya repatriation
"Our teams have already reported that over 140 learning centres have been destroyed, while water supply and sanitation systems have sustained significant damage," Fore said.
The Unicef Executive Director said their most urgent priority is to ensure the safety and protection of affected children, in coordination with local authorities.
Also read: South, Southeast Asian govts urged to rescue Rohingyas stranded at sea
"Unicef community volunteers are working to reunite separated children with their families and support relocation efforts for families whose shelters have been destroyed. Unicef has also set up child-friendly spaces, providing hundreds of children with psychosocial support," Fore said.
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