We are witnessing declining infection rates, declining hospitalisation and death in some countries. In other countries infection rates continue to rise and death stalks millions who cannot find the critical care they need.
It’s no wonder that the chasm between rich and poor continues to widen as Covid-19 vaccines and vital therapeutics flow disproportionately to rich countries. Israel, one of the most vaccinated countries, counted 39 cases May 15.
The United States is lifting mask-wearing and social distancing mandates for those who are fully vaccinated. Across Europe, countries are looking forward to a near-normal summer, with full relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions and, economies are poised to roar back to life.
But in India, Brazil and South Africa, just to mention a few countries, the pandemic is still raging. In South Africa, for example, the number of cases detected in the seven days to May 9 increased by 46 per cent.
Health experts fear Brazil’s Covid-19 catastrophe could get worse in the months ahead. Brazil’s low vaccination rate means that tens of millions are at risk from more than 90 variants of coronavirus in circulation. According to the World Health Organization, India accounted for 50 per cent of cases and 30 per cent of global deaths in the week of May 10.
Globally, vaccination disparities are staggering. It is estimated that 83 per cent of vaccine shots worldwide have gone into the arms of high-and upper-middle income countries. A paltry 0.3 per cent have been administered in low-income countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The global vaccine-sharing effort under Covax has delivered unsurprisingly limited doses of vaccines in poor countries.
Vaccine supplies continue to be stockpiled and administered in the wealthy countries of Europe, Asia and North America. With more than 60 per cent of Israeli citizens vaccinated South Africa is yet to administer its first vaccine doses to non-heath workers. Africa has only vaccinated 1.7 per 100 people.
In countries such as Kenya, Ghana and Bangladesh, which have now exhausted initial vaccine supplies, the few who received the first dose do not know when they will get the second.
The disparities between wealthier and poorer nations go beyond vaccine access or availability. There are systemic logistical problems that bedevil fragile and poorly funded health systems. Moreover, poorer countries must contend with vaccine hesitancy that has its roots in the abusive colonial and imperial era of European domination.
It is shameful that while poor countries have scrambled for vaccine supplies, operational ineptitude and vaccine hesitancy have left stockpiles of vaccines expiring in countries that cannot afford to waste even a single dose.
For example, Ivory Coast has administered 31 per cent of the vaccine doses it received from Covax in late February. DR Congo was forced to ship out most of the 1.7 million AstraZeneca vaccines it received to neighbouring countries to save the supplies from expiring.
The world must rally to bridge the gulf between the vaccine haves and have nots. Covid-19 anywhere is a threat to health and economic prosperity everywhere.
Vice Provost at The Aga Khan University. Views expressed are the writer’s
