‘Vaccinationalism’ is self-defeating, says UN chief as international COVID deaths cross 2 million

Image Source : AP UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
As the world crossed a “heart-wrenching milestone” of two million deaths from COVID-19, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres lamented that the lethal influence of the pandemic has worsened because of the absence of a world coordinated effort and stated that “vaccinationalism” by governments is “self-defeating” that can delay a world restoration.
Since its discovery on the finish of December 2019, COVID-19 has now unfold to all corners of the world, with circumstances in 191 international locations and areas.
Deaths because of the illness reached the grim milestone of 1 million solely in September. In addition, the socio-economic influence of the pandemic has been huge, with numerous jobs and livelihoods misplaced globally, and thousands and thousands pushed into poverty and starvation.
“Our world has reached a heart-wrenching milestone: the COVID-19 pandemic has now claimed two million lives. Behind this staggering number are names and faces: the smile now only a memory, the seat forever empty at the dinner table, the room that echoes with the silence of a loved one,” Guterres stated on Friday.
According to Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus tracker, the lethal virus has up to now claimed 2,008,237 lives and contaminated 93,816,953 individuals globally.
Guterres stated the lethal influence of the pandemic has been made worse by the absence of a world coordinated effort and known as for the world to behave with far better solidarity “within the reminiscence of these two million souls”.
The UN chief stated as secure and efficient COVID-19 vaccines are being rolled out, “we are seeing a vaccine vacuum” and famous that the world’s main economies have a particular duty.
“Science is succeeding — but solidarity is failing. Some countries are pursuing side deals, even procuring beyond need. Governments have a responsibility to protect their populations, but ‘vaccinationalism’ is self-defeating and will delay a global recovery,” he stated.
Warning that COVID-19 can’t be crushed one nation at a time, Guterres voiced concern that vaccines are reaching excessive revenue international locations shortly, whereas the world’s poorest have none in any respect.

“Our world can solely get forward of this virus a technique — collectively. Global solidarity will save lives, shield individuals and assist defeat this vicious virus,” he stated.
Guterres stated the UN is supporting international locations to mobilise the most important international immunisation effort in historical past and the world organisation is dedicated to creating certain that vaccines are seen as international public items — individuals’s vaccines.
“That requires full funding for the access to COVID-19 tools accelerator and its COVAX facility — which is dedicated to making vaccines available and affordable to all,” he stated.
The UN chief harassed that producers must step up their dedication to work with the COVAX facility and international locations around the globe to make sure sufficient provide and truthful distribution.
“We need countries to commit now to sharing excess doses of vaccines. This would help vaccinate all health care workers around the world on an urgent basis and protect health systems from collapse,” he stated.
Emphasising that these on the frontline, together with humanitarian employees and high-risk populations, have to be prioritised for the vaccine, Guterres stated so as to acquire public belief, “we must boost vaccine confidence and knowledge with effective communication grounded in facts”.
Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, stated Guterres is predicted to get the COVID-19 vaccination subsequent week.
“As he himself dedicated, we are going to launch a photograph and video of that as a result of he was very a lot dedicated to do it publicly,” he stated. 
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