UK hesitant on WHO pact over vaccine sharing concerns

The U.K. is reportedly refusing to sign the World Health Organization's (WHO) pandemic agreement due to concerns over the requirement for a fifth of vaccines to be distributed to poorer countries.

The agreement, currently being negotiated at the WHO, proposes that wealthier countries set aside 20% of testing, treatment and vaccines to be distributed by the WHO in emergencies in less affluent countries.

A spokesperson for the U.K. Department of Health and Social Care said that the U.K. would only support the adoption of this agreement if it served the national interest and respected national sovereignty. However, they did not elaborate on the specific proposals in the agreement, noting that no agreement has yet been reached.

The WHO did not respond to requests for comment on the issue. The proposed agreement and updates to existing pandemic response rules aim to strengthen global defenses against new pathogens following the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A major point of contention between rich and developing countries is the equitable sharing of medicines and vaccines.

Negotiations on the agreement are scheduled to conclude on May 10 and the agreement will be adopted at the WHO annual meeting later this month.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement within the deadline to increase global preparedness for future pandemics.

He urged countries to avoid blocking consensus among the WHO's 194 member states, even if they do not fully support the text.

Source: Reuters