By NG Seruela
In the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday (Sept. 22), President Duterte urged “privileged partners” to support the World Health Organization’s (WHO) COVAX facility in pursuit of COVID-19 vaccine equity worldwide.
The Philippine President pointed out that there is a “man-made drought of vaccines ravaging poor countries,” and that rich countries “hoard” the vaccines while poor nations “wait for trickles.”
Duterte said that privileged countries are now discussing the implementation of booster shots while “developing countries consider half-doses just to get by.”
“This is shocking beyond belief and must be condemned for what it is – a selfish act that can neither be justified rationally nor morally,” he said.
The Philippine Chief Executive strongly believes that the COVID-19 vaccines are necessary for the pandemic to end.
“The plain fact is this pandemic will not end unless the virus is defeated everywhere. Vaccines are key to achieving this,” he said.
Duterte called for the further strengthening of the world’s cooperation in beating the virus through vaccine equity.
“We strongly urge our privileged partners to fully support the COVAX Facility and further strengthen other cooperation mechanisms. We need this to save more lives, break the cycle of variants and help ensure global economic recovery.
“This is why the Philippines committed $1 million to the UN’s COVAX Facility. This is our modest contribution to our collective fight against COVID-19,” he said.
In relation to this, the WHO earlier called on developed nations to postpone the giving of COVID-19 booster shots to their citizens to “enable” every country, especially low-income countries, to vaccinate at least 40% of their population. – jlo
READ MORE: WHO calls for booster shots’ moratorium extension
