Why we need a global response and how you can help too.
Updated: Mar 5, 2022
A popular strategy throughout the pandemic has been to take care of our own first, but in a globalized world, there is no keeping COVID-19 out. If one part of the world is still in it, we're all in it.
COVID-19 is a global issue that will continue to affect our lives. To stop it, we have to all work together.
“The COVID‑19 pandemic is a global threat that does not recognize borders. It will only be overcome through coordinated global action. Canada is committed to a robust global effort to stop COVID‑19 and address its devastating health, social, economic and security impacts on people around the world." - Government of Canada
The government of Canada has a plan for global vaccine equity and has contributed to the cause. For instance, as of February 25, 2022, Canada has donated over 13.8 million surplus vaccine doses through the COVAX Facility. Canada has also shared 762,080 AstraZeneca doses through direct, bilateral arrangements with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Even with all of Canada's donations, there are still many countries unable to vaccinate their populations.
Other countries are unable to vaccinate their people
According to Our World in Data, 63.1% of the world population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and only 13% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose. When comparing Canada's vaccination rate of 81.24% fully vaccinated to Nigeria's vaccination rate of 3.83%, the issue becomes clear: vaccine inequity.
Over 30 countries have vaccination rates lower than 10% of their population and are still unable to vaccinate their people. Vaccine supply inequity is at the core of this dilemma. High income countries, like Canada and the USA, have the financial means to receive more than enough COVID-19 vaccines to vaccinate their entire population, whereas lower-income countries do not have these resources and must rely on other countries to donate vaccines. Low-income countries are unable to vaccinate the majority of their population against COVID-19, not because they don't need to, but because they don't have access to vaccines.
Why should I care?
You might be asking yourself this question or "how can I do something about this?" The only way that global vaccine equity can be achieved, is by spreading awareness and working together to make the world recognize the urgent need for global vaccine equity. The first step is awareness. Now that you are aware of the issue, it is time to educate yourself further on the issue of global vaccine equity. We've outlined the basics of global vaccine equity for you, but there is still work to be done.
Read more blogs on our website along with the resources we've linked to learn more
Visit our take action page for concrete actions you can take
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date
Stay tuned for our future initiatives to spread awareness on global vaccine equity
Sources
Our World in Data. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccinations. https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations
United Nations. (2021, September 19). COVID vaccines: Widening inequality and millions vulnerable. (News Article) https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/09/1100192
Beaubien, J. (2022, January 14). For the 36 countries with the lowest vaccination rates, supply isn't the only issue. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/01/14/1072188527/for-the-36-countries-with-the-lowest-vaccination-rates-supply-isnt-the-only-issu
(2022, February 17). Canada’s aid and development assistance in response to the COVID‑19 pandemic. Government of Canada. https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/global_health-sante_mondiale/response_covid-19_reponse.aspx?lang=eng
Multilateral Leaders Task Force on COVID-19. Vaccine Supply and Delivery. https://data.covid19taskforce.com/data/tools/vaccine-administration
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