This archive report was first published on 4 June 2020.
UN Chief Backs Global Access to 'People's Vaccine' for Coronavirus ¶
June 4, 2020
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for global access to a coronavirus vaccine, urging countries to commit to finding safe ways to continue delivering vaccinations.
At a virtual meeting hosted by Britain, Guterres emphasized the need for global solidarity to ensure that every person, everywhere, has access to the vaccine.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also called for a 'new era of global health co-operation' to 'unite humanity in the fight against disease', particularly in the poorest countries.
More than 50 countries are taking part in the meeting, as well as individuals such as billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, to raise funds for Gavi, the vaccine alliance.
Over the next five years, Gavi aims to provide vaccines at a much-reduced cost to some 300 million children worldwide.
The pandemic has exposed new ruptures in international cooperation, notably with US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Johnson said helping developing countries would benefit places such as Britain, which has seen more than 39,000 deaths in the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump sent a recorded message to the conference, telling delegates: 'As the coronavirus has shown, there are no borders. It doesn't discriminate.'
Microsoft founder Gates earlier said pharmaceutical companies had been working together to try to secure the required production capacity.
