Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro applauded the World Health Organization’s call for the United Kingdom and other countries to pause their vaccination programs after vulnerable groups and health workers have received their shots to help ensure an equitable global distribution of doses.
The United Kingdom has one of the highest levels of vaccine coverage, along with Israel and the United Arab Emirates. According to the UK health authorities, 12.34% of the country’s population has been vaccinated against coronavirus so far.
“Coronavirus has stripped capitalism. You can see its injustice and inequality,” said Maduro, who mentioned that 95% of COVID-19 vaccines are in the hands of the most powerful nations, while the South and most vulnerable countries have no access to them.
The WHO pointed out that developed countries should make efforts to fairly distribute doses in the world.
The Covax mechanism, fostered by the United Nations, aims to deliver 1.3 billion doses of vaccines to low-, middle-income countries.
Venezuela is working with the World Health Organization to fight the pandemic, said President Maduro, who told about Venezuela’s efforts to ensure medical treatments and equipment for the population.
The Venezuelan president added that Executive Vice-president Delcy Rodríguez will hold a meeting with WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom to discuss issues related to COVID-19 control in Venezuela.