Inside Story

Will ‘vaccine nationalism’ prolong the pandemic?

WHO warns wealthy countries against blocking supply of COVID vaccines to the developing world.

At least 50 countries have now begun vaccination programmes against the coronavirus.

But it is a slow process in many places, and drug makers are struggling to keep up with deliveries.

The European Union, criticised for its slow immunisation campaign, is restricting vaccine exports to 100 nations.

The World Health Organization is warning that “vaccine nationalism” will hamper access to jabs in developing countries.

So what is the solution?

Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom

Guests:

Dr Annelies Wilder-Smith – Professor of emerging infectious diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Max Lawson –  Head of inequality policy, Oxfam International

Julie Fischer – Associate research professor of microbiology and immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center