Most low-income countries rely on COVAX and AVAT doses, which have the money and contracts to purchase immunizers, but pharmaceutical companies still do not play their role, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Mr. Ghebreyesus sytated no more vaccines should go to nations that have already vaccinated more than 40% of their population, until COVAX has the vaccines it needs to help other countries get there too.

WHO called for compliance with a global moratorium on boosters, at the expense of health workers and vulnerable groups in low-income countries still awaiting first jabs.

No one can end the pandemic without vaccines, but these alone will never end Covid-19, said Adhanom, who reiterated the significance of physical distancing, avoiding crowded spaces, face masks, hand-washing, among other measures.

More than 5 million deaths have now been reported, and “we know the real number is higher.” Last week, 56 countries, from all regions, reported an increase in deaths from Covid-19 of over 10%,” Tedros said.

We need to work together, ensure equitable access to vaccines to tackle the evolving disease and halt the emergence of stronger virus variants, Ghebreyesus stressed.

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