‘We can end the pandemic’, UN chief says in new call for global vaccine plan

September 24, 2021

(United Nations News) UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday repeated his call for a global COVID-19 vaccination plan to boost production and reach millions over the coming months, in line with recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Speaking at a summit on the global pandemic, hosted by United States President Joseph Biden, the UN chief stressed that the move is not philanthropy, but self-interest.

“Global health security until now has failed, to the tune of 4.5 million lives, and counting. We have effective vaccines against COVID-19. We can end the pandemic,”

he told the online meeting.

At the summit, the US pledged to donate next year some 500 million more doses of Pfizer-BioNtech shots to developing countries, with Mr. Biden promising an

“arsenal of vaccines”.

This would reportedly bring the total US commitment to sharing doses above the one billion mark.

Staff Writer, CARICOM September 23, 2021