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.
"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"
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.
Bidali zure iritzi artikuluak iritzia@argia.eus helbide elektronikora
ARGIAk ez du zertan bat etorri artikuluen edukiarekin. Idatzien gehienezko luzera 4.500 karakterekoa da (espazioak barne). Idazkera aldetik gutxieneko zuzentasun bat beharrezkoa da: batetik, ARGIAk ezin du hartu zuzenketa sakona egiteko lanik; bestetik, egitekotan edukia nahi gabe aldatzeko arriskua dago. ARGIAk azaleko zuzenketak edo moldaketak egingo dizkie artikuluei, behar izanez gero.
One of the reasons for the investiture of Salvador Illa as president of the Generalitat has been the PSC-ERC pact. It is not a sovereign pact at all, but in some respects new doors could be opened, unless the political strategy of the PSC-PSOE, which is common, is re-imposed... [+]
The region of Merida (Mexico) has been the object of this year of great controversy for the placement on a beach of a sculpture in tribute to the Greek god Poseidon. Merida is located on the Yukatan peninsula, where the people of Maia try to preserve their culture, within the... [+]
My cycles start in September and end in June, actually, (I was going to wear myself, but every time I use the plural a dwarf yells at me in my head, “they will be yours!”), and so it has been in my life, whether there is vacation, whether or not I have paid work on schedule... [+]
In summer, we retirees don't tend to be hungry for vacations, and we can calmly analyze everything around us. Here are some issues that surprised me.
Spain. The Euro Cup and the Olympic Games are all over the summer. I have to say beforehand that professional sport... [+]
With the Zabalduz caravan in the city of Bihac in Bosnia Herzegovina, activist Nihad Suljic explained to us that the Drina River is the largest tomb in the Balkans. In order not to be forgotten, he is responsible for identifying the bodies that are found and for giving them... [+]
I don't know if we're hit by heat waves anymore, if it's a normal hypocrisy or a systemic logic, but the gap between what we know, what we say and what we do, beyond concern, surprises me, especially in a summer environment. News, research, social media interactions… constitute a... [+]
Among many falls, there are also achievements. A young mother of about 35 years old asked me the other day how they could get in their school that the classmates who had not received Euskera at home learn and speak as well as the boys and girls who were Euskaldunes at home. In... [+]
The current situation requires a thorough analysis of what is behind titles, demonstrations, the manipulated dissemination of some facts, the dark concealment of others and the disguised propaganda of analysis in most mainstream media. The situation requires that superficial... [+]
Entrepreneurs and policy makers in the sector tell us that tourism generates wealth and jobs, but what is tourism work? What kind of work does tourism generate? And who wins with that?
The entity San Sebastian Turismo says that over 15,000 people work in the sector in San... [+]
The main feature of my basketball team is its personality. It is usually said that this is a common characteristic between the team and the hobby. However, this identity of all amateurs is not taken into account from the management. In fact, Euskaldunes fans see again and again... [+]
Train stations in many cities show the highest beauty of the 19th century iron structure, along with the rise of arrival at the epicenter of the city. It's like entering the city through the front door, a pearl of architecture and place. However, in many cities, in the phenomena... [+]
Why not leave it. He who writes the columns always follows the apologies of withdrawal in time. Before stocks are exhausted. The issues, to me, I have not been able to exhaust them, because I am not an expert in anything, and I have never had messages to convey to Euskal Herria... [+]
Start of the summer. EHZ festival hangover (atx, headache). You want to breathe after a charged course. Flush the head. Reconnect key elements. Take some time with family, see old friends again and rest (a little) in the daily struggle. Really? !...
As a family, walk to the... [+]