Duterte calls for end to ‘vaccine nationalism'

VACCINE NATIONALISM is when a country secures doses of vaccines for its citizens through pre-purchase agreements with the vaccine manufacturer before other countries.

- ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS

President Duterte expressed concern about the great imbalance in access to coronavirus ( COVID-19) vaccines, saying the pandemic has become an unforgiving race to immunity due to the lack of bold, collaborative responses to the situation.

Duterte made the statement during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Retreat on Friday evening, July 16.

In his intervention during the virtual summit, Duterte expressed concern about the situation, saying the Philippines was yet to fully contain COVID-19 as comprehensive recovery remained elusive and the people continued to suffer.

The Philippines is concerned with the increasing North-South divide between the 'vaccine-haves' and the 'have-nots,' he said.

Notwithstanding our commitment to act together, we have somehow managed to turn this crisis into an unforgiving race to immunity, he added.

The President cited the imbalance in vaccine access that led developing countries to wait for the much-needed shots.

We are aware that more than 80 percent of the COVID-19 vaccines have gone to rich countries, leaving the rest of us in the developing world [with] so little to get by, he said.

The great imbalance in vaccine access needs to be rectified. Vaccine nationalism must end, he added.

Duterte reiterated the Philippines' call for equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, saying global economic recovery hinged on an efficient and effective mass inoculation worldwide.