The continuing furore over vaccine contracts and supplies is a conflict between international co-operation and national interests.
Should individual countries be able to shop to buy safety for their citizens or should the development and sourcing of vaccines be a combined effort?
Britain, elated at having signed contracts for many billions of doses - said soon to be enough for two doses for every citizen - is now well ahead of most countries in the vaccination programme - almost a race.
It is facing criticism and anger from the European Union. They claim that the vaccines - a total of five now likely to be available within months - should be shared.
They have even threatened to ban the export of vaccines made in the EU, although they have since played this down.
The contracts clearly show when they were signed, suggesting that first come, first served is legitimate, but is it? Pandemics do not recognise borders, sweeping relentlessly around the world, and countries cannot isolate themselves even if they can achieve total vaccination.
It is debatable; yet another example of the wicked complexity of coronavirus.
Britain’s ‘red top’ tabloid newspapers are having a field day, boasting how we have beaten the EU and are racing ahead of the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment