The demand for COVID19 continues to increase as the spread of the virus continues to surge. Nations have put all their resources into securing vaccination for their dying citizens. However, Africans and other developing countries have accused the west of stockpiling the vaccine. Here is a full story.
The Real Issue
According to Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, the current vaccine distribution illustrates two worlds apart. He stated with all certainty that the rich and powerful countries (the west) had used their power to lock up multiple vaccine candidates. The act leaves African countries with no hope of ever getting the vaccines or getting it when things are out of control.
Naming the Enemy
Kagame continued to explain the short-sightedness of the world leaders. The current situation in many western countries is a perfect example. The governments have refused to share the vaccine with other nations until all their citizens have the vaccination. While this may be understandable, the president says that it is unfair to make poorer countries like Africans wait for everyone in the north to get the vaccine before getting the help.
Prepare for the Worst
Delayed access to the vaccine is suicidal to the global economy. Kagame explains that the pandemic will cripple the world economy, including the USA and Europe. He argued governments would crumble what the world has worked for decades by eclipsing the 2030 development goals if the new mutations continue to emerge rapidly.
The COVAX facility has failed in its work. The facility was supposed to give African people 20% of the dosage simultaneously with the rich countries. However, it is two months since the rolling out of the vaccines, and there are no signs of the African community getting the vaccine though they hope to get the vaccine at the end of March 2021.
Sticking Together
Kagame made a proposal that would solve the problem. He argued that Africans could get the vaccine faster if the western countries helped them get the vaccine at the current market price.
Kagame gave hope to the African countries on the government’s plans to secure the vaccine. The African Union and African –Export-Import bank have started a campaign for Africans to get the vaccine. They will provide manufacturers with a maximum of $2 billion. Currently, the platform has bargained for 270m doses. However, the vaccine is not enough. Africans need to achieve 60% coverage to reach herd immunity, yet there is no promise when the dosage will be available in the African continent.
The president firmly concluded that Africans are not asking for charity but fairness in the distribution and the purchase of the vaccine.
These are the concerns that African society has concerning the distribution of the vaccine. The president pointed facts and figures to explain his point. He gave examples of institutions sleeping on their job of ensuring that Africans have the vaccine. His final appeal is fairness in distributing the vaccine.