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Unicef
Millions of children are at risk of losing “life-saving” vaccines, the UN warned, after a “massive backlog” of backlogs due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The outbreak has had a major impact on the airline industry, dramatically reducing commercial and charter flights.
Dozens of countries are at risk of running out of vital vaccines, says the UN agency for children, Unicef.
He wants governments and the private sector to free up cargo space.
Immunization programs are one of Unicef’s key activities. The organization estimates that vaccines against serious diseases like measles, polio and tetanus save the lives of up to three million children a year.
With medical researchers working hard on a coronavirus vaccine, Unicef says the outbreak is disrupting active efforts against other diseases.
“UNICEF is asking for support to unlock a massive backlog of vaccine shipments due to unprecedented logistical restrictions related to Covid-19 mitigation measures, including blockades in some countries,” spokeswoman Marixie Mercado said.
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Warning of a “dramatic decline” in commercial flights and the “exorbitant” cost of insuring them, he said: “Countries with limited resources will have a hard time paying these higher prices, leaving children vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.”
“UNICEF is calling on governments, the private sector, the airline industry and others to free up cargo space at an affordable cost for these life-saving vaccines.”
Last month, the organization warned that measles outbreaks could occur as a result of vaccination programs delayed by the coronavirus outbreak.
Even before the coronavirus emerged, UNICEF estimated that more than 20 million children a year were missing a measles vaccine, and the organization cited vaccine skepticism as a factor.
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On Thursday, teen climate activist Greta Thunberg donated $ 100,000 (£ 80,000) she earned from a Danish charity to UNICEF to help her fight the coronavirus.
Launching a campaign to help protect the lives of children in the outbreak, he said: “Like the climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a child rights crisis. It will affect all children, now and in the long term, but vulnerable groups will be impacted more. “
