Greed-Driven Pandemic Still Killing Millions

By Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Nazihah NoorKUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec 14 2021 (IPS) Failure to vaccinate most in poor countries sustains the COVID-19 pandemic. Rich country greed and patent monopolies block developing countries from affordably making the means to protect themselves. Mutant menace The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been mutating as it replicates. Numerous replications in hundreds of millions of hosts have generated many variants. Some mutations are more resilient than others, and better able to overcome human defences. Jomo Kwame SundaramEarly data suggest the B.1.1.529 Omicron variant is more transmissible than others, including Delta, and possibly more resistant to existing treatments and vaccines. Health authorities the world over are concerned WHO’s latest ‘variant of concern’ may trigger a new wave of preventable infections and deaths. South Africans first scientifically identified the new variant, alerting global health authorities immediately. Instead of appreciating its prompt actions, southern African nations are being punished with travel restrictions. In fact, Dutch health authorities acknowledge the new Omicron variant was already in western Europe before the first South African cases. Punitive responses – e.g., travel bans – may deter other governments from rapid action and notification, so essential for effective international cooperation. Promises, promises With huge inequalities in vaccinations – especially between high-income countries (HIC...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Aid COVID-19 COVID-19 VACCINES Economy & Trade Global Headlines Health Humanitarian Emergencies Inequity TerraViva United Nations IPS UN Bureau Source Type: news