Countries with 13% of the Global Population Secure 51% of Vaccines
Even if Leading Vaccine Manufacturers Succeed, 61% of the Population Cannot Be Vaccinated
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Although the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) vaccine is not yet complete, an analysis has emerged that advanced countries have already purchased about half of it in advance. Wealthy countries, which account for 13% of the world's population, have purchased 51% of the expected vaccine production.
On the 17th (local time), Oxfam, an international poverty alleviation nonprofit organization, introduced this analysis based on data from the UK scientific analysis company Airfinity.
Oxfam predicted that even if all five companies known to be leading in COVID-19 vaccine development succeed, at least 61% of the world's population will not be vaccinated until 2022.
As a result, the UK has secured enough vaccine doses for its entire population to be vaccinated five times, whereas in Bangladesh, only one out of nine people can receive the vaccine.
Oxfam argued that vaccine manufacturers need to improve their operational processes so that everyone can access the vaccine.
Robert Silverman, director of Oxfam America, said, "Whether you can get a life-saving vaccine should not depend on where you live or how much money you have," adding, "Developing a safe and effective vaccine is important, but at the same time, it is also important that everyone can access the vaccine."
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