The UK will be hoarding up to 210 million spare <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a> by the year-end, research suggests,&nbsp;as ministers are accused of leaving poorer countries "fighting for scraps".

Airfinity, a life science analytics company, found that 467 million vaccines are currently on order, with 306 million due to be delivered to the UK by the end of 2021.

Surprisingly, to comply with the expected demand, only around 95 million vaccinations will be needed. This includes doses needed both to vaccinate everyone over 16 and to give the vulnerable a booster in autumn.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-rich-countries-share-vaccines-or-patents-380945">Will rich countries share vaccines or patents?</a>&nbsp;

Considering that the average adult vaccination rate is currently over 80 per cent, if the same level of enrollment is maintained for those eligible, that will result in a surplus of 210 million vaccines. The figure would still be 186m even if take-up increases to 100&nbsp;per cent.

As the UK opposes a temporary waiver of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> vaccine's intellectual property rights, the government faces increasing pressure to do more to aid nations where only a small number of people have received a vaccine.

According to the global advocacy group Global Justice Now, which compiled the statistics, leftover vaccines could provide vaccinations for about 211 million people living in the ten least vaccinated countries in the world.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sa-president-calls-out-rich-countries-for-hoarding-vaccines-359471">SA President calls out rich countries for hoarding vaccines</a>

Talking to&nbsp;the Guardian&nbsp;Nick Dearden, director of the organisation, says that the UK's expansion of vaccine coverage and preparation to vaccinate teenagers were insults to low- and middle-income countries which were left "fighting for scraps".

The UK's actions to "obstruct" a temporary waiver of patent rights on Coronavirus vaccines made the problem even more problematic, he said.

In October 2020, India and South Africa filed a bid for this at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which was then subsequently backed by the US, France, and Italy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-western-countries-hoard-vaccines-9-out-of-10-in-low-income-countries-to-miss-out-348585">As western countries hoard vaccines, 9 out of 10 in low-income countries to miss out</a>

Minutes of the WTO meeting discussing the proposal concluded that there was still disagreement regarding the appropriate and most effective way to address shortages and inequitable access to vaccines, and a decision will now be delayed until October 2021.

In a statement, a government spokesperson said that the UK is committed to supporting global progress towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic and improving vaccine access.

The spokesperson added that UK's pledge to donate 100 million vaccine doses by June 2022 is underway, with the first deliveries started last week.&nbsp;

The UK will be hoarding up to 210 million spare coronavirus vaccines by the year-end, research suggests, as ministers are accused of leaving poorer countries "fighting for scraps".

The UK will be hoarding up to 210 million spare coronavirus vaccines by the year-end, research suggests, as ministers are accused of leaving poorer countries "fighting for scraps". Airfinity, a life science analytics company, found that 467 million vaccines are currently on order, with 306 million due to be delivered to the UK by the end of 2021. Surprisingly, to comply with the expected demand, only around 95 million vaccinations will be needed. This includes doses needed both to vaccinate everyone over 16 and to give the vulnerable a booster in autumn. Also read | Will rich countries share vaccines or patents? Considering that the average adult vaccination rate is currently over 80 per cent, if the same level of enrollment is maintained for those eligible, that will result in a surplus of 210 million vaccines. The figure would still be 186m even if take-up increases to 100 per cent. As the UK opposes a temporary waiver of the COVID-19 vaccine's intellectual property rights, the government faces increasing pressure to do more to aid nations where only a small number of people have received a vaccine. According to the global advocacy group Global Justice Now, which compiled the statistics, leftover vaccines could provide vaccinations for about 211 million people living in the ten least vaccinated countries in the world. Also read | SA President calls out rich countries for hoarding vaccines Talking to the Guardian Nick Dearden, director of the organisation, says that the UK's expansion of vaccine coverage and preparation to vaccinate teenagers were insults to low- and middle-income countries which were left "fighting for scraps". The UK's actions to "obstruct" a temporary waiver of patent rights on Coronavirus vaccines made the problem even more problematic, he said. In October 2020, India and South Africa filed a bid for this at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which was then subsequently backed by the US, France, and Italy. Also read | As western countries hoard vaccines, 9 out of 10 in low-income countries to miss out Minutes of the WTO meeting discussing the proposal concluded that there was still disagreement regarding the appropriate and most effective way to address shortages and inequitable access to vaccines, and a decision will now be delayed until October 2021. In a statement, a government spokesperson said that the UK is committed to supporting global progress towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic and improving vaccine access. The spokesperson added that UK's pledge to donate 100 million vaccine doses by June 2022 is underway, with the first deliveries started last week.

Vaccine apartheid: Research suggests UK will hoard up to 210 million vaccines

India has suggested to the WTO members to begin text-based negotiations from mid-June on the temporary TRIPs waiver proposal to deal with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 pandemic</a>, as there is no time to lose and countries should look at concluding the talks by July-end.

The country would also like to enter into line-by-line negotiations on the text and it is open and flexible to engage in all possible formats, whether, in plenary or small group meetings, India said in a statement on TRIPs waiver proposal in the formal TRIPs Council Meeting on June 8-9 in Geneva.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-g7-nato-to-do-list-unite-allies-fight-autocracy-attack-covid-19-389886">Biden G7, NATO to-do list: Unite allies, fight autocracy, attack COVID-19</a>

"We would like negotiations to begin after this formal meeting, i.e., by mid-June...Looking at the severity of the 2nd and 3rd wave hitting different parts of the world, we have no time to lose, we look at concluding these negotiations by the end of July before we go for the summer break," the statement said.

In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted the first proposal, suggesting a waiver for all WTO (World Trade Organisation) members on the implementation of certain provisions of the TRIPs Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19</a>.

In May this year, a revised proposal was submitted by 62 co-sponsors, including India, South Africa, and Indonesia. 
The agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs came into effect in January 1995. It is a multilateral agreement on intellectual property (IP) rights such as copyright, industrial designs, patents and protection of undisclosed information or trade secrets.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/resisting-patent-waiver-eu-submits-vaccine-plan-to-wto-389616">Resisting patent waiver, EU submits vaccine plan to WTO</a>

"We urge that as we are working on a tight schedule we can engage daily in the similar way as we are engaging to conclude the fisheries negotiations," the statement said, adding any dilly-dallying would only cause more harm especially when "we are in a race against time".

If there are any members who are still in two minds and have concerns about the text, India urged them to come to the table, join the text-based negotiations and work on thrashing out these issues, it noted.

"The proponents have no intention of continuing the waiver for an indefinite period and no intention of denying benefits of IP rights to right holders beyond the waiver period," it said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-europe-bows-to-big-pharma-blocks-patent-waiver-389544/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The scope of the proposal focuses on the prevention, containment, and treatment of COVID-19, and includes the health products and technologies needed to deal with the pandemic.

The council has agreed with consensus to start text-based negotiations on the proposal, submitted by India, and South Africa.

India has suggested to the WTO members to begin text-based negotiations from mid-June on the temporary TRIPs waiver proposal to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, as there is no time to lose and countries should look at concluding the talks by July-end.

India has suggested to the WTO members to begin text-based negotiations from mid-June on the temporary TRIPs waiver proposal to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, as there is no time to lose and countries should look at concluding the talks by July-end. The country would also like to enter into line-by-line negotiations on the text and it is open and flexible to engage in all possible formats, whether, in plenary or small group meetings, India said in a statement on TRIPs waiver proposal in the formal TRIPs Council Meeting on June 8-9 in Geneva. Also read | Biden G7, NATO to-do list: Unite allies, fight autocracy, attack COVID-19 "We would like negotiations to begin after this formal meeting, i.e., by mid-June...Looking at the severity of the 2nd and 3rd wave hitting different parts of the world, we have no time to lose, we look at concluding these negotiations by the end of July before we go for the summer break," the statement said. In October 2020, India and South Africa had submitted the first proposal, suggesting a waiver for all WTO (World Trade Organisation) members on the implementation of certain provisions of the TRIPs Agreement in relation to the prevention, containment or treatment of COVID-19. In May this year, a revised proposal was submitted by 62 co-sponsors, including India, South Africa, and Indonesia. The agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or TRIPs came into effect in January 1995. It is a multilateral agreement on intellectual property (IP) rights such as copyright, industrial designs, patents and protection of undisclosed information or trade secrets. Also read | Resisting patent waiver, EU submits vaccine plan to WTO "We urge that as we are working on a tight schedule we can engage daily in the similar way as we are engaging to conclude the fisheries negotiations," the statement said, adding any dilly-dallying would only cause more harm especially when "we are in a race against time". If there are any members who are still in two minds and have concerns about the text, India urged them to come to the table, join the text-based negotiations and work on thrashing out these issues, it noted. "The proponents have no intention of continuing the waiver for an indefinite period and no intention of denying benefits of IP rights to right holders beyond the waiver period," it said. The scope of the proposal focuses on the prevention, containment, and treatment of COVID-19, and includes the health products and technologies needed to deal with the pandemic. The council has agreed with consensus to start text-based negotiations on the proposal, submitted by India, and South Africa.

We have no time to lose, conclude talks on patent waiver proposal by July-end: India to WTO members

Lifting restrictions too quickly might be disastrous for individuals who aren't vaccinated, WHO Director Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated, citing increased global transmission of COVID-19 variants of concern, including the Delta variant that was originally found in India.

"However, many countries do not have that option due to a lack of COVID-19 vaccines," he noted.&nbsp;

"We see two-track pandemic; many countries still face an extremely dangerous situation, while those with highest vaccination rates are starting to talk about ending restrictions, but they must be eased cautiously, with viral circulation and response capacities," he added.

The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 173.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.73 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Tuesday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 173,538,801 and 3,734,654, respectively.

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 33,377,632 and 597,946, respectively, according to the CSSE.

In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 28,909,975 cases.

(With inputs from agencies)

Lifting restrictions too quickly might be disastrous for individuals who aren't vaccinated, WHO Director Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated, citing increased global transmission of COVID-19 variants of concern, including the Delta variant that was originally found in India.

Lifting restrictions too quickly might be disastrous for individuals who aren't vaccinated, WHO Director Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has stated, citing increased global transmission of COVID-19 variants of concern, including the Delta variant that was originally found in India. "However, many countries do not have that option due to a lack of COVID-19 vaccines," he noted. "We see two-track pandemic; many countries still face an extremely dangerous situation, while those with highest vaccination rates are starting to talk about ending restrictions, but they must be eased cautiously, with viral circulation and response capacities," he added. The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 173.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.73 million, according to Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Tuesday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 173,538,801 and 3,734,654, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 33,377,632 and 597,946, respectively, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India follows in second place with 28,909,975 cases. (With inputs from agencies)

Lifting curbs too soon can be disastrous for those who aren't vaccinated: WHO

The European Union on Friday submitted a plan to the World Trade Organization that it believes will more effectively broaden the supply of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccines</a> than the intellectual property (IP) rights&nbsp;waiver&nbsp;backed by the United States.

India, South Africa and dozens of developing countries are demanding the&nbsp;waiver&nbsp;to address what they say is a "staggering inequity" in access to vaccines and other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> treatments.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/brics-foreign-ministers-back-india-south-africa-vaccine-waiver-proposal-388839">BRICS foreign ministers back India-South Africa vaccine waiver proposal</a>

A surprise US&nbsp;shift in May to support a&nbsp;waiver&nbsp;heaped pressure on remaining opponents, such as the European Union and Switzerland that are home to many drugmakers.

The European Commission, which oversees trade policy for the 27-nation EU, said on Friday it had submitted an alternative, focused on limits on export restrictions and making use of flexibility in existing WTO rules.

The World Trade Organization will next be able to discuss the plan at meetings planned next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-vaccine-patent-waiver-will-not-be-enough-to-bridge-supply-gap-wto-386296">COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver will not be enough to bridge supply gap: WTO</a>

The EU contends that a&nbsp;waiver&nbsp;would not boost production and presented a three-part plan.

First, it says export restrictions should be kept to a minimum.

Second, the EU would encourage vaccine developers to enter deals with producers in developing countries and pledge increased supplies to vulnerable nations, as some have done.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vaccine-makers-oppose-ip-waiver-say-manufacturing-hurdles-slowing-rollout-379755">Vaccine makers oppose IP waiver, say manufacturing hurdles slowing rollout</a>

Third, the EU plan highlights existing WTO rules allowing countries to grant licences to manufacturers even without the consent of the patent-holder, although they would still receive compensation.

A Commission official said the proposal aimed to remove ambiguity, clarifying that the pandemic meant "compulsory licences" could be granted without having to negotiate with patent-holders first. Compensation could be kept to a minimum to ensure affordable prices.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vaccine-waiver-talks-a-chance-for-wto-to-show-its-relevance-us-trade-chief-tai-385138">Vaccine waiver talks a chance for WTO to show its relevance: US trade chief Tai</a>

Medical humanitarian group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said the EU proposal was pushing only voluntary action by companies rather than the concrete legal solution a&nbsp;waiver&nbsp;would offer.

It added the existing "compulsory licensing" had critical shortcomings and that the EU plan was limited to vaccines.

The European Union on Friday submitted a plan to the World Trade Organization that it believes will more effectively broaden the supply of COVID-19 vaccines than the intellectual property (IP) rights waiver backed by the United States.

The European Union on Friday submitted a plan to the World Trade Organization that it believes will more effectively broaden the supply of COVID-19 vaccines than the intellectual property (IP) rights waiver backed by the United States. India, South Africa and dozens of developing countries are demanding the waiver to address what they say is a "staggering inequity" in access to vaccines and other COVID-19 treatments. Also Read | BRICS foreign ministers back India-South Africa vaccine waiver proposal A surprise US shift in May to support a waiver heaped pressure on remaining opponents, such as the European Union and Switzerland that are home to many drugmakers. The European Commission, which oversees trade policy for the 27-nation EU, said on Friday it had submitted an alternative, focused on limits on export restrictions and making use of flexibility in existing WTO rules. The World Trade Organization will next be able to discuss the plan at meetings planned next Tuesday and Wednesday. Also Read | COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver will not be enough to bridge supply gap: WTO The EU contends that a waiver would not boost production and presented a three-part plan. First, it says export restrictions should be kept to a minimum. Second, the EU would encourage vaccine developers to enter deals with producers in developing countries and pledge increased supplies to vulnerable nations, as some have done. Also Read | Vaccine makers oppose IP waiver, say manufacturing hurdles slowing rollout Third, the EU plan highlights existing WTO rules allowing countries to grant licences to manufacturers even without the consent of the patent-holder, although they would still receive compensation. A Commission official said the proposal aimed to remove ambiguity, clarifying that the pandemic meant "compulsory licences" could be granted without having to negotiate with patent-holders first. Compensation could be kept to a minimum to ensure affordable prices. Also Read | Vaccine waiver talks a chance for WTO to show its relevance: US trade chief Tai Medical humanitarian group Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said the EU proposal was pushing only voluntary action by companies rather than the concrete legal solution a waiver would offer. It added the existing "compulsory licensing" had critical shortcomings and that the EU plan was limited to vaccines.

Resisting patent waiver, EU submits vaccine plan to WTO

Wealthy countries need to give more COVID-19 vaccines and follow the United States in making doses available immediately to cover a 200 million dose gap caused by Indian supply disruptions and manufacturing delays, a&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Organization&nbsp;(WHO) senior adviser&nbsp;said on Friday.

Warning of a "two-track recovery," the WHO is urging wealthy countries to donate their surplus doses to poorer countries instead of giving them to less vulnerable groups, such as children. They have so far donated 150 million doses via the COVAX sharing scheme.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reconsider-vaccinating-children-donate-to-covax-says-who-chief-as-he-warns-against-deadliest-year-385082">'Reconsider vaccinating children, donate to Covax,' says WHO chief as he warns against 'deadliest year'</a>

However, Bruce Aylward said on Friday that only a small portion of those doses will be available in the short-term in June, July and August when they can make a difference in slowing the pace of infections in the global pandemic.

"We are going to need twice that much and it's got to be brought forward," he said, referring to the size of wealthy country donations so far as G7&nbsp;health&nbsp;ministers meet in Oxford.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-chief-urges-covid-19-vaccine-makers-to-advance-doses-for-covax-385692">WHO chief urges COVID-19 vaccine makers to advance doses for COVAX</a>

"We don't have enough confirmed doses from enough countries early enough to get the&nbsp;world&nbsp;on track to get out of this," he said. "We are setting up for failure if we don't get early doses."

He praised a US&nbsp;plan announced on Thursday (June 3) to quickly share 25 million doses and encouraged other wealthy countries to follow suit.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-distribute-80-million-vaccine-doses-through-covax-india-included-in-list-white-house-389263">US to distribute 80 million vaccine doses through Covax; India included in list: White House</a>

Aylward estimated that Indian vaccine export disruptions and delays in getting other vaccines online meant that the COVAX sharing scheme had a gap of around 200 million doses.

India's Serum Institute has diverted AstraZeneca supplies to the domestic market amid a devastating second wave in India and is expected to lift those restrictions in the fourth quarter when other products earmarked for COVAX are also due online.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tedros-denounces-vaccine-inequity-as-covax-sharing-scheme-marks-first-year-379526">Tedros denounces vaccine inequity as COVAX sharing scheme marks first year</a>

Even after a summit this week that secured an additional $2.4 billion in pledges, a nearly $17 billion funding gap for the WHO's "ACT Accelerator" to back COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics remain, he said.

Wealthy countries need to give more COVID-19 vaccines and follow the United States in making doses available immediately to cover a 200 million dose gap caused by Indian supply disruptions and manufacturing delays, a World Health Organization (WHO) senior adviser said on Friday.

Wealthy countries need to give more COVID-19 vaccines and follow the United States in making doses available immediately to cover a 200 million dose gap caused by Indian supply disruptions and manufacturing delays, a World Health Organization (WHO) senior adviser said on Friday. Warning of a "two-track recovery," the WHO is urging wealthy countries to donate their surplus doses to poorer countries instead of giving them to less vulnerable groups, such as children. They have so far donated 150 million doses via the COVAX sharing scheme. Also Read | 'Reconsider vaccinating children, donate to Covax,' says WHO chief as he warns against 'deadliest year' However, Bruce Aylward said on Friday that only a small portion of those doses will be available in the short-term in June, July and August when they can make a difference in slowing the pace of infections in the global pandemic. "We are going to need twice that much and it's got to be brought forward," he said, referring to the size of wealthy country donations so far as G7 health ministers meet in Oxford. Also Read | WHO chief urges COVID-19 vaccine makers to advance doses for COVAX "We don't have enough confirmed doses from enough countries early enough to get the world on track to get out of this," he said. "We are setting up for failure if we don't get early doses." He praised a US plan announced on Thursday (June 3) to quickly share 25 million doses and encouraged other wealthy countries to follow suit. Also Read | US to distribute 80 million vaccine doses through Covax; India included in list: White House Aylward estimated that Indian vaccine export disruptions and delays in getting other vaccines online meant that the COVAX sharing scheme had a gap of around 200 million doses. India's Serum Institute has diverted AstraZeneca supplies to the domestic market amid a devastating second wave in India and is expected to lift those restrictions in the fourth quarter when other products earmarked for COVAX are also due online. Also Read | Tedros denounces vaccine inequity as COVAX sharing scheme marks first year Even after a summit this week that secured an additional $2.4 billion in pledges, a nearly $17 billion funding gap for the WHO's "ACT Accelerator" to back COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and diagnostics remain, he said.

WHO warns of 'failure' unless rich countries speed up vaccine sharing

Top US&nbsp;infectious disease expert Dr Anthony&nbsp;Fauci&nbsp;has called on&nbsp;China&nbsp;to&nbsp;release&nbsp;the&nbsp;medical&nbsp;records&nbsp;of nine people whose ailments might provide vital clues into whether COVID-19 first emerged as the result of a&nbsp;lab&nbsp;leak, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

"I would like to see the&nbsp;medical&nbsp;records&nbsp;of the three people who are reported to have got sick in 2019. Did they really get sick, and if so, what did they get sick with?" the report quoted&nbsp;Fauci&nbsp;as saying.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/urging-further-probe-into-virus-origins-us-experts-warn-of-covid-26-and-covid-32-388601">Urging further probe into virus origins, US experts warn of 'COVID-26' and 'COVID-32'</a>

The origin of the virus is hotly contested, with US&nbsp;intelligence agencies still examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology&nbsp;laboratory in&nbsp;Wuhan&nbsp;were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first COVID-19 cases were reported.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/origin-of-wuhan-virus-needs-to-be-found-386627">Origin of Wuhan virus needs to be found</a>

However, Chinese scientists and officials have consistently rejected the&nbsp;lab&nbsp;leak hypothesis, saying the virus could have been circulating in other regions before it hit&nbsp;Wuhan&nbsp;and might have even entered&nbsp;China&nbsp;through imported frozen food shipments or wildlife trading.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-origin-probe-poisoned-by-politics-says-who-388122">Virus origin probe 'poisoned by politics', says WHO</a>

Financial Times reported that&nbsp;Fauci&nbsp;continues to believe the virus was first transmitted to humans through animals, pointing out that even if the&nbsp;lab&nbsp;researchers did have COVID-19, they could have contracted the disease from the wider population.

Top US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has called on China to release the medical records of nine people whose ailments might provide vital clues into whether COVID-19 first emerged as the result of a lab leak, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

Top US infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci has called on China to release the medical records of nine people whose ailments might provide vital clues into whether COVID-19 first emerged as the result of a lab leak, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. "I would like to see the medical records of the three people who are reported to have got sick in 2019. Did they really get sick, and if so, what did they get sick with?" the report quoted Fauci as saying. Also Read | Urging further probe into virus origins, US experts warn of 'COVID-26' and 'COVID-32' The origin of the virus is hotly contested, with US intelligence agencies still examining reports that researchers at a Chinese virology laboratory in Wuhan were seriously ill in 2019 a month before the first COVID-19 cases were reported. Also Read | Origin of Wuhan virus needs to be found However, Chinese scientists and officials have consistently rejected the lab leak hypothesis, saying the virus could have been circulating in other regions before it hit Wuhan and might have even entered China through imported frozen food shipments or wildlife trading. Also Read | Virus origin probe 'poisoned by politics', says WHO Financial Times reported that Fauci continues to believe the virus was first transmitted to humans through animals, pointing out that even if the lab researchers did have COVID-19, they could have contracted the disease from the wider population.

Fauci calls on China to release medical records of Wuhan lab workers: Report

Top American lawmakers, industry groups and Indian Americans on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Biden Administration to send 25 million doses of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a> to other countries, including India.

"This is a good first step. I continue to urge the administration to ramp up its global vaccine distribution with a plan that considers urgent need and regional priorities and I look forward to the next batch being allocated quickly,"&nbsp;Senator Mitt Romney said Thursday.

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"Countries like Taiwan and India are in desperate need of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> vaccines, so I'm pleased that the administration is moving into the implementation stage of its global vaccine distribution plan. US vaccines are far safer and more effective than those coming out of China or Russia,"&nbsp;Romney said.

Congresswoman Grace Meng commended the Biden Administration for unveiling the United States' plan to share COVID-19 vaccines with other nations, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries in Asia.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-cases-hotspots-emerge-globally-as-worries-mount-389170">COVID-19 cases hotspots emerge globally as worries mount</a>

"If we are going to defeat COVID-19 and move past this pandemic, we must fight this virus not just here at home but across the globe and I applaud President Biden and his administration for proceeding with his commitment to do so,"&nbsp;said Meng.

"These donations of vaccines are urgently needed. They will save lives and help with the world's recovery and I thank the President and his administration for hearing the pleas that I and others made for sharing vaccines with these other countries. I look forward to seeing the help that these vaccine distributions will provide and I'll be monitoring the situation closely," the Congresswoman said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/eu-parliament-extends-support-to-india-south-africas-covid-vaccine-patent-waiver-386638">EU Parliament extends support to India, South Africa's Covid vaccine patent waiver</a>

The US Chamber of Commerce in a statement welcomed the efforts to boost global vaccine manufacturing and expand vaccine access, including the decision to distribute nearly 19 million doses through the COVAX coalition and provide millions of additional doses directly to countries in need.

"As countries around the globe struggle to manage the health crisis, we know that more can,&nbsp;and must,&nbsp;be done. As production exceeds demand in the United States, the administration should release additional doses into the global supply,"&nbsp;said Myron Brilliant, executive vice-president and head of international affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wto-head-urges-g20-leaders-to-negotiate-ip-waiver-386567">WTO head urges G20 leaders to negotiate IP waiver</a>

"The good news: For months, vaccine producers have been scaling up production exponentially and sharing intellectual property with manufacturers via licenses to boost global capacity. These collaborations, rather than the risky move to circumvent them via IP waivers, will be key to vaccinating billions worldwide," he said.

Congresswoman Young Kim said that the US has provided PPE, medical equipment, therapeutics and raw vaccine materials to India over the past month. "However, with new infections daily and an overwhelmed health infrastructure, India needs help to ramp up its vaccine production capabilities and we can and should help," she said. 
Diaspora advocacy group, IMPACT welcomed the decision.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/over-50-million-pfizer-vaccines-ready-to-be-delivered-to-india-source-389143/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We are thankful the administration has responded to the pleas of the Indian American community. But with over one billion people in India still waiting to get access to vaccines, we must do much, much more. The US will have a surplus of nearly 300M vaccines by July and President Biden should act swiftly to send those doses to countries in dire need such as India,"&nbsp;said Neil Makhija, executive director at IMPACT.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-vaccine-patent-waiver-will-not-be-enough-to-bridge-supply-gap-wto-386296">COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver will not be enough to bridge supply gap: WTO</a>

Dr Vijay G Prabhakar, a public health physician described it as a "huge positive step forward" for US-India relations.

"Yes the quantum is lower than what we have been asking for but we wholeheartedly welcome this initial shipment to India in June," he said in a statement.

Welcoming the decision, Dr R D Prabhu from Las Vegas in Nevada said that this will go a long way in helping the people of India to successfully fight against COVID-19.

Top American lawmakers, industry groups and Indian Americans on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Biden Administration to send 25 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to other countries, including India.

Top American lawmakers, industry groups and Indian Americans on Thursday welcomed the decision of the Biden Administration to send 25 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to other countries, including India. "This is a good first step. I continue to urge the administration to ramp up its global vaccine distribution with a plan that considers urgent need and regional priorities and I look forward to the next batch being allocated quickly," Senator Mitt Romney said Thursday. "Countries like Taiwan and India are in desperate need of COVID-19 vaccines, so I'm pleased that the administration is moving into the implementation stage of its global vaccine distribution plan. US vaccines are far safer and more effective than those coming out of China or Russia," Romney said. Congresswoman Grace Meng commended the Biden Administration for unveiling the United States' plan to share COVID-19 vaccines with other nations, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries in Asia. Also Read | COVID-19 cases hotspots emerge globally as worries mount "If we are going to defeat COVID-19 and move past this pandemic, we must fight this virus not just here at home but across the globe and I applaud President Biden and his administration for proceeding with his commitment to do so," said Meng. "These donations of vaccines are urgently needed. They will save lives and help with the world's recovery and I thank the President and his administration for hearing the pleas that I and others made for sharing vaccines with these other countries. I look forward to seeing the help that these vaccine distributions will provide and I'll be monitoring the situation closely," the Congresswoman said. Also Read | EU Parliament extends support to India, South Africa's Covid vaccine patent waiver The US Chamber of Commerce in a statement welcomed the efforts to boost global vaccine manufacturing and expand vaccine access, including the decision to distribute nearly 19 million doses through the COVAX coalition and provide millions of additional doses directly to countries in need. "As countries around the globe struggle to manage the health crisis, we know that more can, and must, be done. As production exceeds demand in the United States, the administration should release additional doses into the global supply," said Myron Brilliant, executive vice-president and head of international affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce. Also Read | WTO head urges G20 leaders to negotiate IP waiver "The good news: For months, vaccine producers have been scaling up production exponentially and sharing intellectual property with manufacturers via licenses to boost global capacity. These collaborations, rather than the risky move to circumvent them via IP waivers, will be key to vaccinating billions worldwide," he said. Congresswoman Young Kim said that the US has provided PPE, medical equipment, therapeutics and raw vaccine materials to India over the past month. "However, with new infections daily and an overwhelmed health infrastructure, India needs help to ramp up its vaccine production capabilities and we can and should help," she said. Diaspora advocacy group, IMPACT welcomed the decision. "We are thankful the administration has responded to the pleas of the Indian American community. But with over one billion people in India still waiting to get access to vaccines, we must do much, much more. The US will have a surplus of nearly 300M vaccines by July and President Biden should act swiftly to send those doses to countries in dire need such as India," said Neil Makhija, executive director at IMPACT. Also Read | COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver will not be enough to bridge supply gap: WTO Dr Vijay G Prabhakar, a public health physician described it as a "huge positive step forward" for US-India relations. "Yes the quantum is lower than what we have been asking for but we wholeheartedly welcome this initial shipment to India in June," he said in a statement. Welcoming the decision, Dr R D Prabhu from Las Vegas in Nevada said that this will go a long way in helping the people of India to successfully fight against COVID-19.

US lawmakers, industry welcome global distribution of Covid vaccines

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said "one day the COVID-19 pandemic will be behind us."

He was addressing the 74th World Health Assembly.

"But the psychological scars will remain for those who have lost loved ones, who have been stretched beyond breaking point and the millions of people of all ages confronted with months of loneliness and isolation," he further said.

"And we will still face the same vulnerabilities that allowed a small outbreak to become a global pandemic", he added.

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"And we will still face the same vulnerabilities that allowed a small outbreak to become a global pandemic"-<a href="https://twitter.com/DrTedros?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrTedros</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHA74?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WHA74</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/vnb88jAgS4">https://t.co/vnb88jAgS4</a>
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Talking about the governments' handling the pandemic he said: "The safety of the Earth’s people cannot rely solely on the goodwill of governments. Every government is responsible for, &amp; accountable to, its people. But the member States can only truly keep their people safe if they are accountable to each other at the global level".

Emphasising a Pandemic treaty and joint action he said that: "A Pandemic Treaty would foster improved sharing, trust and accountability, and provide the solid foundation on which to build other mechanisms for global health security". 
 
In closing comments to the WHO’s annual week-long high-level assembly, Tedros said that a potential international treaty will be discussed in a special session of WHO members in November.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said "one day the COVID-19 pandemic will be behind us." He was addressing the 74th World Health Assembly.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said "one day the COVID-19 pandemic will be behind us." He was addressing the 74th World Health Assembly. "But the psychological scars will remain for those who have lost loved ones, who have been stretched beyond breaking point and the millions of people of all ages confronted with months of loneliness and isolation," he further said. "And we will still face the same vulnerabilities that allowed a small outbreak to become a global pandemic", he added. "And we will still face the same vulnerabilities that allowed a small outbreak to become a global pandemic"-@DrTedros #WHA74 #COVID19 https://t.co/vnb88jAgS4 — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 31, 2021 × Talking about the governments' handling the pandemic he said: "The safety of the Earth’s people cannot rely solely on the goodwill of governments. Every government is responsible for, & accountable to, its people. But the member States can only truly keep their people safe if they are accountable to each other at the global level". Emphasising a Pandemic treaty and joint action he said that: "A Pandemic Treaty would foster improved sharing, trust and accountability, and provide the solid foundation on which to build other mechanisms for global health security". In closing comments to the WHO’s annual week-long high-level assembly, Tedros said that a potential international treaty will be discussed in a special session of WHO members in November.

One day the pandemic will be behind us, but psychological scars will remain: WHO chief

Highlighting the gap of vaccinations between high-income countries and low and lower-middle countries, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that the world is at risk of 'vaccine apartheid'.

Speaking at the Paris Peace Forum Spring Meeting, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "I think I would go one step further and say not just that the world is at risk of vaccine apartheid; the world is in vaccine apartheid." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-chinese-suppliers-are-profiteering-off-indias-devastating-covid-surge-again-385707">Also read | How Chinese suppliers are profiteering off India's devastating Covid surge... again</a>

"As you know, high-income countries account for 15 per cent of the world's population but have 45 per cent of the world's vaccines. Low- and lower-middle countries account for almost half of the world's population but have received just 17 per cent of the world's vaccines. So the gap is huge," he further remarked.

The WHO chief further highlighted that at least 63 million doses of vaccines have been shipped to 124 countries and economies, but they represent just 0.5 per cent of the combined population of those nations.

 
He also noted that the basic problem of vaccine inequity was a lack of sharing, which could be resolved by sharing financial resources to fully fund the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, sharing doses with COVAX, and sharing technology to scale up the manufacturing of vaccines.

"Even now, some high-income countries are moving to vaccinate children and adolescents, while health workers, older people, and other at-risk groups around the world remain unvaccinated," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) announced that the United States will share 80 million vaccine doses globally over the next six weeks, five times more than any other country has shared to date which represents 13 per cent of vaccines produced in the country by June end.

Joe Biden during his address said, "Today, we're taking an additional step to help the world. We know America will never be fully safe until the pandemic, that's rising globally, is under control. No ocean is wide enough, no walls high enough to keep us safe."

Highlighting the gap of vaccinations between high-income countries and low and lower-middle countries, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that the world is at risk of 'vaccine apartheid'.

Highlighting the gap of vaccinations between high-income countries and low and lower-middle countries, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that the world is at risk of 'vaccine apartheid'. Speaking at the Paris Peace Forum Spring Meeting, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: "I think I would go one step further and say not just that the world is at risk of vaccine apartheid; the world is in vaccine apartheid." Also read | How Chinese suppliers are profiteering off India's devastating Covid surge... again "As you know, high-income countries account for 15 per cent of the world's population but have 45 per cent of the world's vaccines. Low- and lower-middle countries account for almost half of the world's population but have received just 17 per cent of the world's vaccines. So the gap is huge," he further remarked. The WHO chief further highlighted that at least 63 million doses of vaccines have been shipped to 124 countries and economies, but they represent just 0.5 per cent of the combined population of those nations. He also noted that the basic problem of vaccine inequity was a lack of sharing, which could be resolved by sharing financial resources to fully fund the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, sharing doses with COVAX, and sharing technology to scale up the manufacturing of vaccines. "Even now, some high-income countries are moving to vaccinate children and adolescents, while health workers, older people, and other at-risk groups around the world remain unvaccinated," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Earlier, US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) announced that the United States will share 80 million vaccine doses globally over the next six weeks, five times more than any other country has shared to date which represents 13 per cent of vaccines produced in the country by June end. Joe Biden during his address said, "Today, we're taking an additional step to help the world. We know America will never be fully safe until the pandemic, that's rising globally, is under control. No ocean is wide enough, no walls high enough to keep us safe."

World is at risk of 'vaccine apartheid', says WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

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