FILE PHOTO: A logo is pictured outside a building of the World Health Organization (WHO) during an executive board meeting on update on the coronavirus outbreak, in Geneva, Switzerland, Feb 6, 2020. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

WHO head urges rich nations to join COVID-19 vaccine scheme by Friday deadline

14 Sep 2020, 16:43

ZURICH: Countries should join the World Health Organization's (WHO) COVAX vaccine facility by a Friday (Sep 18) deadline to help ensure that immunisations are fairly and efficiently distributed, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Monday.

So far, 92 lower-income nations are seeking assistance via the COVAX facility, part of the WHO's ACT Accelerator to boost development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to combat the pandemic. Some 80 higher-income nations have expressed interest, but many must still confirm their intention to join by the end of this week.

"If people in low- and middle-income countries miss out on vaccines, the virus will continue to kill and the economic recovery globally will be delayed," Tedros told a WHO regional event for Europe that was broadcast virtually.

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