25 Aug
The head of the World Health Organization has called on countries to take part in a framework that would ensure participants fair access to coronavirus vaccines.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned countries against rushing to secure vaccines only for their own citizens.
He said, "Vaccine nationalism only helps the virus."
Tedros said 172 countries are now engaging with the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility, or COVAX Facility. It is aimed at providing all countries participating with equitable access to vaccines.
Tedros said investing in the COVAX Facility is the fastest way to end the pandemic and ensure a sustainable economic recovery.
The mechanism was launched by the WHO along with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. It's an international group working to promote vaccination in developing countries.
Gavi's website lists countries that have expressed interest in the facility. These include Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada. But the list does not include the United States or China.
The WHO is calling on countries to express their intent to participate by the end of this month.
NHK
