UK urged to share vaccine supply with Ireland and developing countries

Updated 40 minutes ago

The UK is urged to share its vaccine surpluses with neighboring and developing countries.

Dr David Nabarro, World Health Organization (WHO) special envoy for Covid-19, said that the UK has 400 million doses of vaccine on demand is “totally understandable”, but that, once everyone over 50 in the UK has been vaccinated, you should consider sharing vaccines with poorer countries.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock pledged last week to be “generous around the world” with the supply of vaccines in recognition that Britain has enough doses to vaccinate the UK population three times as much.

Dr. Nabarro told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “Right now, politicians believe that their main duty is to make sure that maybe everyone gets the vaccines in their countries.

“We think that citizens might be able to talk to their politicians and say ‘Wait a minute, we’re actually part of the world, we think the first priority is making sure everyone in the world gets what they need.’

He said 100 countries have signed up to WHO’s Covax vaccine exchange scheme, adding that they are “ready to receive vaccines” and that money is available to buy doses.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald said the spirit of “generosity and solidarity” in the vaccine exchange should spread globally.

He was asked on Sky News if he would like to see overdoses from the UK diverted to the Republic of Ireland, given the slower pace of vaccine implementation in the EU.

“Certainly if there is a glut in Britain and if there is capacity for it to be shared with Ireland at some point, well yes, of course, absolutely, the project here is to vaccinate people,” he replied.

“This is a race against this virus and against death, so yes, I believe that a spirit of justice and generosity must prevail in this, my God, above all other issues.

“So yes, is the answer, and if the scenario were the other way around, I would expect similar generosity to be provided to the British people because the virus doesn’t care about politics or borders or any of these things.

“We all share the same human biology and it is so important that the incredible work that scientists have done internationally, including at Oxford University, and around the world, the fruits of that effort and knowledge and experience are shared along the way. that good science would try, and that means keeping all of our fellow citizens safe, alive and healthy. “

First doses

The first batch of Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Ireland yesterday.

The 21,600 blows, which were transported from Belgium, will be handed over to healthcare workers starting tomorrow.

Ireland is using the other two approved vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, to vaccinate those over 70.

Most of those over 70 will be able to receive blows in surgery from their GP.

The GP practice launch begins Monday a week, and the age group over 85 is prioritized.

Another 55 deaths related to Covid-19 were confirmed yesterday, along with another 827 new confirmed cases of the virus.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, 1,177 Covid-19 patients were being treated in the hospital, 177 of whom were in the ICU.