(ANSA) - ROME, MARCH 24 - Africa has so far reported more than four million cases of Covid-19 and more than 100,000 deaths but still many regions of the continent '' have not received a single dose of the vaccine, while the richest countries are on the point of vaccinating the entire population ", declared the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres during a meeting with the representatives of African countries.
"The United Nations is fully committed to working towards the deployment of vaccines which must be a global public good accessible to everyone, everywhere. The fairness of vaccines is a moral proof of global solidarity," said the UN chief. Guterres recalled that COVAX, the global vaccine equity mechanism, has begun to distribute doses around the world, including in some of the low-income countries. As of March 21, 26 African countries had received more than 15 million doses thanks to this mechanism. Despite this, the UN representative stressed: "We see many examples of nationalism and accumulation of vaccines in richer countries, as well as parallel agreements underway with manufacturers that compromise access for all. The world must unite to produce and distribute sufficient vaccines for all, which it means at least doubling world production capacity ". (HANDLE).