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“We are still far behind what we should be as a region”
Washington DC February 25 (OPS) – Director Carissa F. Etienne today briefed the leaders of PROSUR, the Forum for the Progress and Development of South America, on COVID-19 vaccine supply and procurement progress, saying, “PAHO shares your great concerns for equity of access to vaccines, especially for middle and low income countries, and we continue to advocate strongly for countries in the ALC.
“I also welcome the considerable efforts of PROSUR countries to ensure the planning and preparation for the introduction of COVID 19 vaccines in your respective countries,” said Dr Etienne.
Today’s PROSUR virtual meeting brought together presidents and leaders from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay.
Dr Etienne explained that the supply agreement between the Revolving Fund and the vaccine manufacturer, SK Bio, was finalized yesterday and that PAHO will move “quickly with price estimates and purchase orders”. Dr Etienne said: “I take this opportunity to urge each of you Excellencies to ensure that your country meets the readiness requirements, processes approvals and transfers of funds in a timely manner. “
Despite aggressive steps taken to get vaccines delivered as quickly as possible, we are still far behind what we should be as a Region. It is only by acting together, in solidarity, that we can guarantee the Region equitable access to vaccines. No country is safe until all are. ”
PAHO / WHO Director Carissa F. Etienne
PAHO is preparing to deliver the first purchased COVID-19 vaccines for countries in the Americas through COVAX, the global mechanism working to ensure equitable access to vaccines, as they become available.
COVAX is expected to send letters this week to participating countries, confirming their vaccine allocation and indicating the number of doses countries will receive. This would be accompanied by explanations of the allocation process, the legal and regulatory measures countries should take and the key next steps in the supply chain.
PAHO’s Revolving Fund led efforts on behalf of countries in the region to purchase vaccines through COVAX.
Encouraging support to come together as a Region to meet the total vaccine needs, Dr Etienne said: “PAHO will contact our partners, regional and sub-regional financial institutions among others and our Member States…” She said called for strengthening the Fund, “which has provided vaccines to LAC countries for forty years and has accumulated vast experience and knowledge.”
While the supply of vaccines for the first and second quarters of 2021 will be limited, an increase in supply is expected by the third quarter.
Dr Etienne also reiterated his call to make access to vaccines in the Americas a “top global priority”.
“Our Region has been hit harder by the pandemic than any other, and millions of people remain vulnerable to infection and death. The life-saving power of vaccines should not be a privilege for the few, but a right for all – especially countries most at risk like those in the Americas, which remain the epicenter of the pandemic.
The leaders of PROSUR launched a “Call for the strengthening and effective implementation of the COVAX mechanism (Collaboration for Global Equitable Access to COVID-19 Vaccines), in particular the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO), with a view to obtaining wider and faster access to the COVID-19 vaccine, in particular by supporting countries in negotiations with laboratories. “
Contacts
Daniel Epstein
Nancy nusser
Sebastien oliel
[email protected]
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