WHO: Vax nationalism not helping Covid fight

Blurb: Says variants winning race due to inequity in jab distribution

Box: Raging virus

UK: Set to hold crucial Euro Cup matches amid huge spectator rush. Saw 59,828 cases in previous peak, daily cases now averaging 27,238

Russia: Witnessing third peak at 23,563 cases; second wave peak was 28,501

Bangladesh: Current third peak 9,187 daily cases higher than second (7,000)

South Korea: Rise again with 900 cases against 1,047 in previous peak

Indonesia: Saw 12,721 daily cases in previous peak. Average daily cases now 28,732

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 9

The WHO on Friday said the world was at a perilous point in its response to the Covid-19 and vaccine nationalism by some countries was not helping the fight.

The world body said variants were currently winning the race against vaccines due to inequity in the production and distribution of jabs.

The WHO has so far classified four variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta) and four variants of interest (Eta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda).

A day after global Covid deaths crossed the 4-million mark, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described vaccine nationalism as morally indefensible and asked countries to show solidarity in defeating the virus.

“The world is at a perilous point. We have just passed the tragic milestone of 4 million deaths, which likely underestimates the overall toll. Some countries are dropping public health social measures as if the pandemic is over. However, compounded by fast-moving variants and shocking inequity in vaccination, far too many countries are seeing sharp spikes in cases,” the WHO chief said.