Striking map shows vaccine gap between a few wealthy countries and the rest of the world

• The richest countries bought and administered far more vaccines than other countries.

• A map from Our World In Data shows the huge disparity.

• Experts warn that this gap will lead to many deaths and prolong the pandemic around the world.

• See more stories on the Insider business page.

A map shows the huge difference in immunization rights between some rich countries and the rest of the world.

The graph, produced by Max Roser of the Our World in Data site, shows the proportion of each country receiving at least one dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus:

It shows European countries, North America and some South America with high rates, with particularly low rates in Africa.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, blamed “greed” for the disparity last week, and said rich countries should donate their surplus vaccines instead of using them as boosters.

“We are making conscious choices right now so as not to protect those in need,” he said.

Experts have warned that uneven vaccination rates mean some countries will end up being hit hardest by the pandemic. They also warn that it will likely prolong the pandemic, even for the wealthiest countries, as the virus continues to mutate and circulate.

Roses said on twitter that he supported the WHO program for the distribution of vaccines to the poorest countries, called COVAX.

“I think rich countries should support COVAX and fund the production of more vaccines to end the global pandemic.”

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