In record time, science has been able to put some COVID-19 vaccines on the table. However, not all countries have the same opportunities to access them. Once again, the shadow of the inequalities and injustices that exist in this world is so long that it reaches this vaccine.

In the Basque Country, almost 90% of the population over 12 years of age is fully immunized, according to the Osakidetza vaccination newsletter of 6 October. However, if we open the focus, there are grounds for concern, concern and reflection. In terms of Our World in Data, on 6 October, more than half of the population living in high-income countries (60.5%) has received the full vaccine schedule, but only 1.3% of the population in the poorest (low-income) countries and only 15.2% of the population in low- and middle-income countries. For example, in Africa, in September, less than 1 per cent of the population in all countries was on the basis of complete vaccination. In fact, among all the least populated countries that have received a single dose or a complete puncture schedule, those in Africa, including Madagascar, the Dominican Republic of the Congo, stood out. Burkina Faso and South Sudan.

While rich countries accumulate doses, even above their real needs, and ensure that they will have them in the future, the rest of countries do not know whether they will receive vaccines. Thus, according to The Intelligence Economist Unit (EIU), many impoverished countries will not be able to vaccinate the majority of their population until 2023. But there's more data to flush. Another example of this disparate inequality is the cost of the vaccine, which in South Africa costs 2.5 times as much as in most European countries.

We are aware that the current pandemic does not distinguish borders or countries, but rather inequalities and social classes, as it does not affect the world as a whole, or within the same country or region. The pandemic is another factor that generates poverty and inequalities and is slowing progress in the eradication of poverty and inequalities in recent years.

That's why, to end the pandemic, we can't only vaccinate some people in some countries. For the response to be effective, high-income countries must commit to allocating global doses equitably. Postponement causes more deaths, hampers global economic recovery and facilitates the emergence of new variants of the virus. This pandemic has shown how connected the world is, so this global crisis requires global solutions, without excluding anyone.

October 17 is the International Day against Poverty and Exclusion. Your vaccine does not protect me: we claim under the motto Right to Health for all that intellectual property rights, including patents, do not prevent access to any vaccine or treatment to deal with COVID-19. We call for urgent investment to ensure universal and free health. It is also necessary to invest in public policies for collective well-being and that development cooperation policy is part of the solution to this global crisis.

Poverty and inequalities can be avoided in any of its manifestations. With political will we can turn the current global and neoliberal economic and institutional model, responsible for its creation and perpetuation. Citizenship can contribute to this through denunciation, mobilization, social participation or everyday life. The institutions must provide bold, urgent, supportive and fair responses to alleviate the current situation and the many crises that have arisen. It is urgent to move towards new life models that put life at the centre, respect for the environment, gender equity and, ultimately, a decent life for all people.