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25
May 2021
Oxford scientist says vaccinating children before poor morally wrong
A group of MPs has been told that offering children in some richer countries a coronavirus vaccine before some high-risk people in poorer ones is “morally wrong”.
Professor Andrew Pollard, who assisted in the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, said the “inequality” of vaccine distribution must change “urgently”.
Canada and the US have made a jab available to children as young as 12, but in many low-income countries those most at risk are yet to be vaccinated.
The Pfizer vaccine, approved for use in Canada and the US, has completed trials in adolescents, and a number of other Covid vaccines are being tested on this age group and younger.
However, Professor Pollard said “The main issue at the moment is try and make sure the doses go to those in greatest need. This is a global problem which impacts our economies and puts pressure on health systems.”
Studies have shown that the over-50s, healthcare workers, and people with certain health conditions, are most likely to become seriously ill or die from coronavirus, but many parts in South Asia and Africa are still waiting for a vaccine.
Campaigners have warned that shortages in supply are a huge concern. Covax, the international scheme to ensure equal access to vaccines, is currently 140 million doses short, after a disruption in supply from India.
The World Health Organisation and Unicef have called on wealthier countries to share their surplus supplies, as some have ordered enough to vaccinate their populations many times over.
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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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