Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two people martyred in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a vehicle in Toul.

World leaders urged to say 'never again' to vaccine inequity

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Mar 2023 09:35
3 Min Read

While a number of Covid-19 vaccines were produced at a breakneck speed, affluent nations quickly snapped up the majority of the initial doses.

  • x
  • Several states in India have reported a shortage of coronavirus vaccine doses in 2021 (AP)
    An Indian man looks at a banner that says vaccine out of  stock during a shortage of coronavirus vaccine doses in 2021 (AP)

Three years after the Covid pandemic began, nearly 200 prominent world figures asked for the vaccine inequity seen during the crisis to be relegated to history.

"We ask world leaders to pledge 'never again'," the current and former dignitaries stated in an open letter.

The letter was released to commemorate the three-year anniversary of the World Health Organization's classification of the Covid-19 problem as a pandemic.

The letter, sponsored by the non-governmental organization coalition People's Vaccine Alliance, was signed by Timor-Leste President José Manuel Ramos-Horta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996, as well as former leaders from more than 40 countries.

Numerous other Nobel laureates, religious leaders, and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon were among those who signed, as did a number of current and previous UN agency heads.

With the end of the pandemic in sight, "the world is at a critical juncture," the letter added.

Related News

YouTube to reinstate accounts banned over COVID, 2020 election

Von der Leyen faces no-confidence motion amid Pfizergate fallout: FT

"Decisions made now will determine how the world prepares for and responds to future global health crises. World leaders must reflect on mistakes made in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic so that they are never repeated," the leaders wrote.

The letter criticized the glaring unfairness that characterized the pandemic response, which has officially killed almost seven million people globally, though the exact toll is thought to be much higher.

The big picture

While a number of Covid-19 vaccines were produced at breakneck speed, affluent nations quickly snapped up the majority of the initial doses, leaving vulnerable individuals in many poorer countries waiting in vain for vaccinations.

According to UN data, less than a third of people in low-income countries have received at least one vaccination shot, while three-quarters of people in high-income nations have.

The letter cited research published in the science journal Nature last year that estimated that 1.3 million fewer people would have died from Covid if the vaccines had been delivered evenly in 2021, amounting to "one preventable death every 24 seconds" that year.

The letter asked leaders to support the ongoing international discussions for a pandemic agreement -- in order to guarantee that equity is a core aspect of the final accord.

It also urged for large-scale investments in the global south to foster scientific innovation and manufacturing capability, ensuring that vaccinations and treatments can be produced and implemented swiftly in all regions.

Read next: Africa Tries to End vaccine Inequity by Reproducing its Own

  • COVID-19
  • Vaccines
  • Poor countries
  • vaccine inequity

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Children walk along a sidewalk, Thursday, June 15, 2017 in New York. (AP)
Health

Could AI extend lifespans while fueling despair and joblessness?

milei
Politics

Milei faces sharp drop in approval rating ahead of midterm elections

Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian vehicles in Deir Dibwan, near Ramallah, during a pre-dawn raid. (social media)
Politics

Israeli settlers torch three Palestinian cars near Ramallah

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao is seen leaving his court sentencing in 2024. (AFP)
Economy

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS