Mauritius pleads for even vaccination distribution as pandemic exposes global inequalities

The prime minister called for global leaders to ensure that any 'approved vaccine is distributed equitably'

Credit: AFP

The prime minister of Mauritius has pleaded for world leaders to distribute vaccines evenly around the globe. 

Pravind Jugnauth warned that less wealthy nations could miss out once vaccinations are approved for use. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare the inequalities that exist amongst nations and this is nowhere more evident than in the area of having fair and equal access to safe, effective, and affordable Covid-19 vaccines,” he said. 

The prime minister called for leaders to ensure that any “approved vaccine is distributed equitably” so those nations facing catastrophe can “move towards a resilient recovery”. 

Widespread vaccination is unlikely to happen before the second half of 2021 — and many experts predict lower and middle-income countries could be waiting even longer. 

Around 150 vaccines are currently in the development process around the world, but in recent weeks three have emerged as front runners in the race to find the key to recovery. 

Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna each show encouraging results in initial trials.

Yet these vaccinations will only be available to a limited number of people in countries who have already placed orders. 

Mauritius is among those to have pre-ordered vaccinations, expected to cover around 20 per cent of its 1.3 million population. 

Many Mauritians live in densely populated areas, often contributing to widespread outbreaks. But an early lockdown and strict quarantine measures has kept the impact low in the island nation. Currently, Mauritius has just 478 cases, including 10 deaths. 

“Considering our circumstances, our response has been heralded as one of the most efficient in the world as we managed to contain, in a matter of six weeks, the virus which reached our shores on the 18th of March,” explained Mr Jugnauth.

But the prime minister added that the magnitude of the pandemic poses a great challenge for Mauritius, particularly in the hard hit tourism sector. 

“This is a war that we, and especially our youth, will not forget and will grow from,” he said.