Noticing that younger, healthy people in richer nations are getting vaccines while the poorer, vulnerable states are lagging, the head of World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus termed it as unfair.
In a report published in BBC, the head of WHO said that 39 million doses of vaccines had been given to 49 richer states but observed that one poorer nation had only 25 doses.
Terming it an unequal covid vaccine policy, Ghebreyesus said, "I need to be blunt: the world is on the brink of a catastrophic moral failure - and the price of this failure will be paid with lives and livelihoods in the world's poorest countries."
Tedros was of the view that the "me-first" approach would lead to hike in prices and hoarding. "Ultimately, these actions will only prolong the pandemic, the restrictions needed to contain it, and human and economic suffering," he was quoted by the BBC.
Tedros called for full commitment to Covax- a scheme to share vaccine globally and whose aim is to unite countries as one bloc to negotiate with drug companies.
Speaking at the WHO executive board session on Monday, Tedros said, "My challenge to all member states is to ensure that by the time World Health Day arrives on 7 April, Covid-19 vaccines are being administered in every country, as a symbol of hope for overcoming both the pandemic and the inequalities that lie at the root of so many global health challenges."
It was also mentioned that 92 low or middle income countries will have vaccine as sponsored by donors.
Matt Hancock, UK's Health Secretary while responding to Tedros' observations said, "The UK is the world's biggest supporter, financial supporter, of the global programme to ensure access to vaccines in all countries in the world."
The UK government is reported to have provided $734 million dollars to the Covax scheme.