Lack of access to COVID-19 vaccine threatening global immunity
Urgent plea to unite developing nations through vaccinations
Today (June 22, 2021), the Immunisation Coalition is issuing an urgent plea to Australians to help close the global COVID-19 vaccination gap by donating to UNICEF Australia in a bid to improve access in lower income countries.
To date, the COVID-19 pandemic has devastatingly led to the death of approximately 3.9 million people globally.1 Many of those living in high income countries can now access free COVID-19 vaccinations, with many lower income countries yet to receive a single dose.
According to Chair and Director of the Immunisation Coalition Scientific Advisory Committee, Professor Robert Booy, the vaccination disparity represents a significant global issue.
“High-income countries have reserved more than half of the worlds COVID-19 vaccine doses, despite representing only 14 percent of the world’s population.2
“This compares to less than five per cent vaccine uptake in low-income countries, which represents approximately two-thirds of the world’s population,” said Prof Booy.
“Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.”
Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, Director at Immunisation Coalition said: “The G7 has just promised vaccine supply for 500 million people, yet 5 billion doses are needed to ensure the virus is controlled globally.”
“A global pandemic requires a global response. We need to ensure all countries have COVID-19 vaccine access. No-one is safe until everyone is,” said Prof Paul Griffin, Director at Immunisation Coalition.
The Immunisation Coalition and UNICEF Australia are urging Australians vaccinated against COVID- 19 to give back by paying it forward.
“Every ten dollars donated will provide one person with a COVID-19 vaccination in a low-income country. Giving $100 could protect 10 people,” said Libby Hodgson, UNICEF Australia’s Director of Fundraising.
Prof Gary Grohman, Director at Immunisation Coalition said: “Every dollar donated goes direct to UNICEF and with end of financial year just around the corner, donations are tax-deductable”
Dr Ginni Mansberg added: “We are calling on Australians to help make a difference in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Donate this week to maximise the tax impact before June 30, 2021. Head to UNICEF Australia to make a donation today!
https://fundraise.unicef.org.au/t/immunisationcoalition
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. 2021 [cited June 21, 2021]; Available from: https://covid19.who.int/.
- Kuehn, B.M., High-Income Countries Have Secured the Bulk of COVID-19 Vaccines. JAMA, 2021. 325(7): p. 612-612.
Media Contacts
If you would like to arrange an interview, contact the experts directly:
Prof Robert Booy, Chair of the Immunisation Coalition Scientific Advisory Committee and Director: 0423 800 128
Prof Paul Griffin, Director, Immunisation Coalition: 0402 077 302
Prof Gary Grohmann, Director, Immunisation Coalition: 0402 077 302
Prof Mary-Louise McLaws, Director, Immunisation Coalition: 0411 368 368
Dr Ginni Mansberg, Director, Immunisation Coalition: 0402 292 079
For more information contact Kim Sampson, CEO, Immunisation Coalition on 0416 146 013 or email: kim@immunisationcoalition.org.au