Northern Ireland

'Unfair' global distribution of Covid vaccines leaving poor countries behind, Co Sligo-born WHO chief warns

Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation's Health Emergencies Programme
Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation's Health Emergencies Programme Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation's Health Emergencies Programme

WESTERN countries must share Covid vaccines with healthcare workers and vulnerable people in developing countries, the head of the World Health Organisation's Covid-19 response team has said.

In a passionate address yesterday, Co Sligo-born Dr Mike Ryan said the global distribution of vaccines was unfair and favoured wealthy countries.

"Every government has a sovereign duty to protect its most vulnerable... Once we cover those individuals who are most vulnerable in our society can we then at least begin to share with those in the world who don't have access to the vaccine?" he said.

He added: "It's very hard in people down that chain in South Sudan today.... with developed countries fighting over who's first and who's second and who's third and they know they're not even going into the line.

"The north doesn't need to share all of its vaccines, it needs to share some of its vaccines in order that the most vulnerable and the most at risk in the developing world would have access. And I think the citizens of Ireland would want that to happen."

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He said the "Irish people need to give permission to the government and permission to the European Union and permission to rich countries, political permission to say 'it's okay, we're not going to punish you in the next election because you shared a few vaccines with those who most need them'."

He added: "It's balancing your duty to your own people with your sense of duty and solidarity to people everywhere."

Dr Ryan, an epidemiologist specialising in infectious diseases and public health, was speaking at an event organised by Trócaire as the charity launched its annual Lenten Appeal.

Dr Ryan, along with Dr Lilian Otiso, CEO of Kenyan healthcare provider LVCT Health, jointly received Trócaire’s Romero Award in recognition of their efforts to protect vulnerable communities from Covid-19.

Dr Lilian Otiso, CEO of Kenyan healthcare provider LVCT Health
Dr Lilian Otiso, CEO of Kenyan healthcare provider LVCT Health Dr Lilian Otiso, CEO of Kenyan healthcare provider LVCT Health

Dr Otiso said Kenya did not expect to receive any Covid vaccines this year.

"We're not even hopeful it will happen in 2021 which is very unfair, especially given the numbers are very few when you think of the broader scheme of things," she said.

She called on the Irish government to lobby for vaccines to reach those most in need.

"Some countries are taking five times their entire population. We definitely don't need all that," she said.

Dr Otiso said Kenyan politicians need to make sure that the country's most vulnerable citizens, and not just "the elite", get vaccines.

"How do we ensure that a person who cannot afford to pay but is vulnerable and is at risk actually gets it?" she said.

She said local NGOs most be properly funded and the government must be held to account.

- This Lent, all donations made before May 16 2021 to the Trocaire Lenten Appeal will be doubled by the UK government up to £2m. These matched funds will help thousands of people in South Sudan to grow enough food to feed their families. Find out more at trocaire.org