By Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus*
Geneva: This week, we crossed the tragic milestone of 1 million reported deaths so far this year. We cannot say we are learning to live with COVID-19 when 1 million people have died from COVID-19 this year alone when we are two-and-a-half years into the pandemic and have all the tools necessary to prevent these deaths.
Once again, we ask all governments to strengthen their efforts to vaccinate all health workers, older people and others at the highest risk, on the way to 70% vaccine coverage for the whole population.
It is pleasing to see that some countries with the lowest vaccination rates are now making up ground, especially in Africa.
In January this year, WHO, UNICEF and partners established the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Partnership to accelerate vaccine coverage in the 34 countries that were below 10% coverage – all but six of which are in Africa. Just six months later, only 10 countries still have less than 10% coverage, most of which are facing humanitarian emergencies.
It’s especially pleasing to see that coverage of high-priority groups is improving, with many countries making impressive progress towards vaccinating 100% of health workers and 100% of older people.
However, much more needs to be done. One-third of the world’s population remains unvaccinated, including two-thirds of health workers and three-quarters of older adults in low-income countries.
All countries at all income levels must do more to vaccinate those most at risk, ensure access to life-saving therapeutics, continue testing and sequencing, and set tailored, proportionate policies to limit transmission and save lives.
This is the best way to drive a truly sustainable recovery.
*Director-General, World Health Organization (Excerpted from his speech during a press conference today)
