Andreas Kluth: Now that vaccines are coming, what about poor countries?

There’s a strong moral case for sharing Covid vaccines with the developing world right away, writes Andreas Kluth

Extraordinary work by scientists and the pharmaceutical industry sees a vaccine for Covid-19 just weeks away from being administered on our shores. But will all countries receive the vaccine in a timely manner? Picture: Pexels

It’s now just a matter of weeks before shoulders are bared, syringes primed and vaccines injected. If last year was the one that gave Covid-19 its name and 2020 was defined by masks, gowns and swabs, 2021 will be the year of the vial.

This being a pandemic (from the Greek word for “all people”), that welcome development presents all the usual problems of global differences in wealth, power and equity. Rich countries have already placed their orders. Poor countries can only hope not to be left out. What should be done?