COVID program delivers 1 billion doses to poorer countries

16/1/2022 18:42

        The World Health Organization said Sunday that a U.N.-backed program shipping coronavirus vaccines to many poor countries has now delivered 1 billion doses, but that milestone "is only a reminder of the work that remains" after hoarding and stockpiling in rich countries.
        
        The U.N. health agency said, a shipment of 1.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Rwanda on Saturday included the billionth dose supplied via the COVAX program.
        
        WHO has long criticized unequal distribution of vaccines and called for manufacturers and other countries to prioritize COVAX. It said that, as of Thursday, 36 of its 194 member countries had vaccinated less than 10% of their population and 88 had vaccinated less than 40%.
        
        The WHO said in a statement, the program has made deliveries to 144 countries so far, "but the work that has gone into this milestone is only a reminder of the work that remains.".