Let's us in XUNICEF appeal for a more just distribution of vaccines to the world's poorest : Agop Kayayan

Thanks to the hard work of scientists and other staff of companies producing vaccines and related products we have efficient vaccines. We also know there are efforts to make the vaccines available at affordable prices to people around the globe.

Past immunization programs, however, have shown that the physical availability of the vaccine is only the initial step.  Ahead is the fact of increasing resistance to vaccines, and the fact that poor countries face enormous financial responsibilities due to COVID, as well as due their their usual finance problems.  

Poorer countries will have difficulty in acquiring the vaccines and all the costs that go with their administration. We also know that in almost all countries the population that has suffered most are the poorer within the country and and among the poorer, those traditionally discriminated against.

As responsible societies, we have to elaborate new levels of justice administration, and ensure special attention to the most vulnerable. This is the norm for us in UNICEF which has long concentrated efforts to benefit the most vulnerable ( especially poor and discriminated women and children).

We are now facing a difficult set of decisions about vaccine application. How do we get the vaccines into war ravaged areas or into areas devastated by natural and man made disasters ? How will Yemen and Ethiopia distribute the vaccines?  How will we negotiate agreements for the most vulnerable people in those countries?

I am asking my colleagues and friends to appeal to governments, companies and people in general to demand vaccine protection for all. I believe we have the responsibility to lead such an appeal because we were together with other agencies in the forefront and we do know the needs of the poorest people, and specially the poorest who are discriminated and in situations of conflict.

My argument is that we should face those situations with new lenses. Let us, companies, governments, national, regional and international organizations, develop ways in which  the neediest get the protection they need. Yes, it will cost more, take more time, make less profit, but only this approach will ensure that we are truly responsible to all the people.

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to ask some well known people worldwide asking vaccine producing and other equipment to:

-Contribute to a fund managed by some UN agencies like WHO, UNICEF to help poorer countries access to the vaccines. These countries will not have priority but at least they should have quick access;

-Consider the possibility of charging less than the usual low prices to international organizations;

-Provide a pool of technical advisors to the UN and other agencies.

There must be other actions. It is the right time to make such a call for support. Jim must be shouting for it wherever he is.

We should not sit back and watch as more unnecessary deaths occur. 

We can make an appeal, at least.

Agop