The World Federation of the United Nations Associations（WFUNA）has recently issued a statement on Equitable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines. 

In the statement, WFUNA expresses its concern regarding the current shortage of COVID-19 vaccinations in developing countries. It states that the vaccine currently represents the most effective option to slow down the pandemic and restart the global economy and it is of utmost importance to foster global engagement and achieve an equitable distribution of this vital resource. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated already existing injustices, disproportionally affecting individuals and communities that were already disadvantaged, while widening the inequality gap. This is also reflected in the distribution of vaccines, as countries with better access to the vaccine have not managed to sufficiently share their resources with the most vulnerable populations. It is estimated that by the end of 2021, high-income countries’ vaccine stock will reach around 1.2 billion of COVID-19 vaccine doses, of which only a minimal part will be donated to developing countries. Thus, the practice of over-storage in Western countries will further put the access of vaccines of low-income countries in jeopardy. As expressed by the World Health Organization (WHO), despite the rapid increase in vaccination rates, the majority of countries in which the second or third dose is being administered belong to the high- and upper-middle-income categories. WFUNA reminds  that without the necessary health measures against COVID-19, there is the risk of many countries to be excluded from global interactions that are of critical importance for the support of the Sustainable Development Agenda, and global partnerships are key for ensuring equitable vaccine access. 

Echoing WHO’s call, WFUNA urges UN member states and companies that control the current production and supply of COVID-19 vaccinations to prioritize the production in developing regions, such as to the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust and COVAX in order to help them develop the capacity to independently provide assistance to the most at-risk populations. An equitable distribution of resources will decrease the risk of new waves of the pandemic as well as that of emergence of new variants and will allow global immunity to be reached over a shorter period. It will also support the creation of self-sustaining public health systems in all countries. 

WFUNA stresses that the COVID-19 vaccine needs to be recognized as a global public good that has to be accessible to the world population. This will save lives.