WHO Director-General lashes out at countries stockpiling Covid-19 vaccine doses

WHO boss Tedros Ghebreyesus has come out against countries stockpiling vaccines, saying one entire continent is being shut-out.

WHO boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has lashed countries for stockpiling Covid-19 vaccine doses, declaring the scheme a “scandal that must stop now”.

Vaccine boosters have been widely encouraged by health officials in affluent countries after the uncomfortable realisation the effects of a double dose begins to wane after approximately 180 days.

But as millions in the West begins to line up for their third jab, another uncomfortable reality is also filtering through for world health officials — everyone’s forgotten Africa.

According to WHO data, only five African countries, less than 10 per cent of the continent’s 54 nations, are expected to hit their 2021 target of fully vaccinating 40 per cent of their citizens.

“Every day, there are 6 times more boosters administered globally than primary Covid-19 vaccine doses in low-income countries. This is a scandal that must stop now,” Dr Ghebreyesus tweeted alongside a statement on Sunday.

Israel came under fire earlier this year for stockpiling excess doses. The nation later became one of the first to begin rolling out boosters. As of November 2021, top doctors in the Middle Eastern nation are recommending a fourth shot to stay on top of the virus.

Dr Ghebreyesus also criticised countries moving towards vaccinating children as young as five when with millions other genuinely compromised adults still left out to dry across the globe.

“It makes no sense to give boosters to healthy adults, or to vaccinate children, when health workers, older people and other high-risk groups around the world are still waiting for their first dose. The exception, as we have said, is immunocompromised individuals,” the WHO chief continued.

“Countries with the highest vaccine coverage continue to stockpile more vaccines, while low-income countries continue to wait … vaccines alone will not end the pandemic, but we cannot end the pandemic unless we solve the global vaccine crisis.”

Every day, there are 6 times more boosters administered globally than primary #COVID19 vaccine doses in low-income countries. This is a scandal that must stop now. https://t.co/6in6FNlmBD#VaccinEquitypic.twitter.com/YDt8mVocZC

— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) November 13, 2021

Dr Ghebreyesus threw his support behind the Australian-developed, protein-based COVAX shot, encouraging countries to use it “if it has the vaccines”.

COVAX garnered attention this month after manufacturer Nikolai Petrovsky accused the Australian government of “turning a blind eye” to the homegrown vaccine.

At the time of writing, COVAX is still awaiting approval by the TGA.

“We have shown that COVAX works,” Ghebreyesus said.

“COVAX has now shipped almost 500 million vaccines to 144 countries and territories. The vast majority of countries are ready to get doses into arms, but they need the doses.

“To reach WHO’s target of vaccinating 40 per cent of the population of every country by the end of this year, we need an additional 550 million doses – about 10 days’ production.”

According to WHO data, only five African countries, less than 10 per cent of the continent’s 54 nations, are expected to hit their 2021 target of fully vaccinating 40 per cent of their citizens.

World Health Organisation Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has lashed countries for rolling out booster shots with millions in Africa still yet to receive one dose.

In Australia, Pfizer will be used for boosters regardless of the Covid-19 vaccine received for the first or second dose. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews last month hinted boosters would be required to maintain fully vaccinated freedoms in the state.

Mr Andrews suggested that going forward, life for the vaccinated would “be about the maintenance of your vaccination status”.

In NSW, all residents “all have a responsibility” to get a booster shot if they “want to remain in work” and avoid another lockdown, Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres said.

Booster shots, which are now being offered to all adults six months after their second dose, are not currently mandatory to be considered “fully vaccinated” against Covid-19.

But Mr Ayres has remained adamant that if people wanted the state to remain open, booster shots would be essential.

“We all have a responsibility to get our booster shot,” he told a press conference.

“If you want to remain in work, if you want your favourite cafe or your favourite restaurant or your favourite pub to stay open, then you need to get your booster shot.”

NSW was released from more than 100 days of lockdown last month but many restrictions remain in place, and unvaccinated people will be all but locked out of society until the state reaches 95 per cent of its population fully vaccinated.

Many employers now have mandatory vaccination policies and people must show vaccine passports to access basic freedoms such as “non-critical retail”, indoor dining, pubs and gyms.

‘Vaccines reduce the risk of hospitalisation, severe disease and death. But they do not fully prevent transmission … no country can simply vaccinate its way out of the pandemic,’ The WHO director-general warned.

In its latest report, the WHO also shone light on the expanding Covid spread across Europe. Almost 2 million cases were reported in the region week, the most seen in a single week since the beginning of the pandemic.

“COVID-19 is surging in countries with lower vaccination rates in Eastern Europe, but also in countries with some of the world’s highest vaccination rates in Western Europe,” the report reads.

“It’s another reminder, as we have said again and again, that vaccines do not replace the need for other precautions.

“Vaccines reduce the risk of hospitalisation, severe disease and death. But they do not fully prevent transmission … no country can simply vaccinate its way out of the pandemic.”