Ending the Covid-19 pandemic is a matter of “choice” and involves the distribution of vaccines, according to the WHO – LCI

“The Covid-19 pandemic will end when the world chooses to end it, it’s in our hands, we have all the tools we need.” This is what Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), said at the “World Health Summit” in Berlin on Sunday 24 October. He notably renewed his calls for a more equitable distribution of vaccines throughout the world.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, bringing together professionals and politicians, the head of the WHO denounced that so far “the world has not put these tools to good use.” He also pointed out that with “nearly 50,000 deaths per week in the world, the pandemic is far from over”.

To stem the pandemic, the WHO has set a target for 40% of the population of each country to be vaccinated by the end of the year and 70% by the middle of 2022. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus regularly deplores the grabbing of anti-Covid vaccines by rich countries.

During his speech he said that “The goal is achievable, but only if the countries and companies that control the supply translate their statements into action.”

According to the WHO Director-General, countries that have already reached the 40% target, including all G20 countries, “must give up their place in vaccine deliveries” the international Covax system and the African Fund for the Acquisition of Vaccines (Avat) set up by the African Union.

As for vaccine manufacturers, they “must share know-how, technology and licenses, as well as the waiver of intellectual property rights”, he added.

For his part, Antonio Guterres, the head of the UN, said in a recorded video message that “the triumph of vaccines – developed and brought to market in record time – is nullified by the tragedy of unequal distribution”. He notably added that “Nationalism and the hoarding of vaccines put us all at risk.”