Gov't, private sector cohesion needed for vaccine: WHO

Gov
# 17 May 2020 08:03 (UTC +04:00)

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said scientists are working at "breakneck speed" to develop vaccines and medicine to fight COVID-19, but the world must ensure government-private sector cohesion, APA reports quoting Anadolu Agency.

"Now is the moment where leaders must come together to develop a new global access policy," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a video news conference Friday ahead of a two-day World Health Assembly (WHA) that begins Monday.

"Solidarity within and between countries and the private sector is essential if we are to overcome these difficult times," he said.

Before the first virtual WHA, prominent personalities urged world powers to pledge a free "COVID-19 vaccine for all" when available.

The WHA is the decision-making body of WHO that is attended by delegations from all WHO member states.

An open letter signed by more than 140 global leaders and experts urged governments and international partners to ensure when a safe and effective vaccine is developed, "it is produced rapidly at scale and made available for all people, in all countries, free of charge."

"Humanity today, in all its fragility, is searching for an effective and safe vaccine against COVID-19. It is our best hope of putting a stop to this painful global pandemic," the letter said.

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