Covid-19 vaccine's prolonged journey to developing nations threatens fast end to pandemic

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MANILA - After losing her son to Covid-19 last year, 79-year-old Tomasa Valdez was desperate to get vaccinated.

But on the remote Philippine island of San Salvador, where she lives, there were no shots to be had.

"Vaccines really have to be brought closer to the people, not the other way around," said Dr Noel Bueno, who inoculated Ms Valdez. While lack of supply was the biggest threat initially to the vaccination programs of developing nations, now it's logistics. The Philippines has one of Asia's lowest vaccination rates, with only about half of its population receiving two shots, according to the Bloomberg Vaccine Tracker. Its limited and costly testing apparatus, fragmented tracing program and fragile health system have made it hard to stamp out outbreaks despite several economically devastating lockdowns.potentially due to the spread of the ultra-contagious Omicron strain.

While the US government and international agencies have begun efforts to support developing countries, more high-income countries need to step in, he said."Remote regions have poorer health-care infrastructure in terms of oxygen, ICU beds so if someone does get severe Covid the ability to treat them is weaker," Dr Yadav said."From that standpoint it becomes important to reach remote areas early.

 

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