Ensure Universal Access To COVID-19 Vaccine

One year into COVID-19 pandemic, the world has not yet overcome its scourge. The deadly virus was first documented in Hubei province of China in November last year. It has killed over 1.5 million people and infected over 64 million to date. In addition to the huge loss of lives and physical suffering and mental trauma it caused, the coronovirus pandemic triggered large-scale economic devastation and social disruptions. After enduring months of lockdowns and other restrictive measures imposed to contain the virus spread, the people are struggling to adapt to new normal. Some nations have gone for second nationwide lockdown in Europe and elsewhere. They have battened down the hatches to prevent the second wave of virus during this harsh winter.
Nonetheless, there is good news that scientists have finally invented anti-COVID-19 vaccine amidst the feelings of gloom and doom. Last Wednesday, the UK government approved the distribution of vaccine produced by the Pfizer/BioNTech. The authorities announced that the mass immunisation would begin immediately with the distribution of initial 800,000 doses of vaccine this week. Other companies are also in the race to launch their vaccines as the infected people across the world are desperately waiting for the shots against the pandemic of century. It is a great delight that health experts found silver lining amidst the dark clouds of the killer contagion. While we must be indebted to the feat and power of medical science to fight the invisible enemy of humanity, it is equally imperative that all the people have an easy access to the new vaccine irrespective of their economic status, colour and nationalities.
The other day, the global leaders called for the fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines at the General Debate of the ‘31st Special Session of the UN General Assembly in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic.’ Putting forth their views through the pre-recorded videos, they also highlighted the measures of their government against the pandemic. In his address, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli underlined the need of universal access to COVID-19 vaccines, once they were available in the market. According to the news report carried by this daily, PM Oli said that vaccines must be truly global public goods and could not be the means of maximising profit. He rightly pointed out the need of global solidarity and cooperation to deal with the pressing challenges such as poverty, hunger, rising inequality, climate crisis and global pandemic. UN Secretary General António Guterres said the pandemic has exposed the long-term inequalities and injustices. This requires collective efforts to avert the health, humanitarian and economic crises.
Echoing the concerns of LDCs, PM Oli has called for international support to stabilise their economy, safeguard fiscal space and tackle debt crisis in this unprecedented time. The pandemic must not be used as a pretext for backing down from international solidarity and commitments. Nepal government has pulled its weight to save the lives of people during the pandemic. It is one of the few countries that provided testing and treatment of virus-infected people free of cost while ensuring necessary infrastructures, human and financial resources, and medical equipment at federal, state and local levels. It is wise to align the rebuilding efforts with the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement, with more investment in health care and social safety.