WHO warns of "vaccine nationalism"

Geneva (dpa) - When looking for a corona vaccine, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for more global cooperation. That is also in the self-interest of the countries, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva.

The global economy can only recover sustainably when the virus has been defeated everywhere. To this end, research must be carried out on as many vaccines as possible instead of relying on individual candidates.

"Excessive demand and competition for supply is already creating vaccine nationalism and the risk of usury," Tedros said. "This is the kind of market failure that only global solidarity, public investment and engagement can solve."

Nine of the vaccines currently being clinically tested worldwide are available to states within the framework of a fund created under the umbrella of the WHO. The so-called "ACT Accelerator" - ACT stands for Access to Covid-Tools, i.e. access to Covid-19 tools - needs 31.3 billion dollars according to the WHO.

As early as June, the fund warned governments, foundations and the private sector that the international community had only promised a fraction of the necessary money. In addition to vaccines, the fund is also intended to help research and manufacture tests and drugs against Covid-19.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200813-99-159341 / 2

WHO on Twitter