Ramaphosa calls for solution to Covid-19 ‘vaccine divide’
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on world leaders to bring an end to the unequal distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.
The unequal distribution across the world of Covid-19 vaccines have seen the vaccines so far sold disproportionately more to richer countries.
Ramaphosa was speaking at the World Health Assembly on Monday.
“At this year’s World Health Assembly, we are urged to end this pandemic, prevent the next one and build a healthier, safer and fairer world,” he told delegates in a short speech.
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“This requires that we attend with urgency and purpose to the huge divide in the provision of the Covid-19 vaccines to the peoples of the world.
“Millions of people in wealthier nations have been vaccinated, while billions of people in poorer countries still wait and are still vulnerable to infection, disease and death.”
South Africa, which has been the hardest hit on the continent, accounts for the majority of the infections.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, the country has recorded a whopping 1 635 465 infections, while deaths have increased to 55 802 as of Sunday.
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The total number of those vaccinated has also increased to 647 983.
