Former British prime minister Gordon Brown. PA
Former British prime minister Gordon Brown. PA
Former British prime minister Gordon Brown. PA
Former British prime minister Gordon Brown. PA

Coronavirus

Covid vaccine inequality across world is getting worse, says Gordon Brown

Former UK PM says it is 'short-sighted' for rich countries to vaccinate only their own citizens

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

February 11, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Vaccine inequality is getting worse as people become complacent about Covid-19, former prime minister Gordon Brown has said.

Mr Brown repeated his call for governments to share the burden of funding vaccines, treatments, testing and personal protection equipment around the world.

He told an Oxfam podcast that it was “short-sighted to take such a narrow view of national self-interest” in which rich countries vaccinate only their own citizens.

This would prolong a “mutating crisis” that could cost them trillions of pounds in loss of trade, economic activities, companies failing and jobs, Mr Brown said.

“This will bite back even those countries that have a big vaccination programme,” he said.

He criticised the fact that vaccination rates in rich countries stand at 75 per cent, compared with 11 per cent across Africa.

“We need a vaccine patent waiver and technology transfer," Mr Brown said. "What’s happened in Africa is as bad as what happened under colonial rule.

“Africa has been deprived of vaccines but also of the ability to manufacture its own vaccines, because it does not have the patents to do so.”

Health workers collect swab samples at a newly opened Covid-19 test centre at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA
Health workers collect swab samples at a newly opened Covid-19 test centre at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EPA
People in Toronto show their support for lorry drivers on their way to Ottawa to protest against cross-border vaccine mandates. Reuters
People in Toronto show their support for lorry drivers on their way to Ottawa to protest against cross-border vaccine mandates. Reuters
Passengers on an underground train in London. Although it is no longer legally compulsory to wear masks in indoor venues, some rail companies in England still require passengers to wear face coverings. EPA
Passengers on an underground train in London. Although it is no longer legally compulsory to wear masks in indoor venues, some rail companies in England still require passengers to wear face coverings. EPA
A health worker holds a swab sample collected from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
A health worker holds a swab sample collected from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
A House of Fraser department store, which closed down during the coronavirus outbreak, on Oxford Street in London. AP
A House of Fraser department store, which closed down during the coronavirus outbreak, on Oxford Street in London. AP
Crowds of people wait for the train at a railway station in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year travel rush. Reuters
Crowds of people wait for the train at a railway station in Shanghai during the Chinese New Year travel rush. Reuters
Naples, Italy. More EU countries now require people to wear FFP2 multi-layered face masks outdoors to curb the spread of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus strain. EPA
Naples, Italy. More EU countries now require people to wear FFP2 multi-layered face masks outdoors to curb the spread of the more contagious Omicron coronavirus strain. EPA
A health worker collects a swab sample at a Covid-19 test centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. EPA
A health worker collects a swab sample at a Covid-19 test centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. EPA
A pupil receives a dose of the Sinovac vaccine at a primary school in Tangerang, Indonesia. EPA
A pupil receives a dose of the Sinovac vaccine at a primary school in Tangerang, Indonesia. EPA
A health worker treats a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Marica, Brazil. AP
A health worker treats a Covid-19 patient in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Marica, Brazil. AP
A doctor prescribes medicine for a person infected with Covid-19, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
A doctor prescribes medicine for a person infected with Covid-19, in Quito, Ecuador. AP
A driver places a swab into a vial at a drive-through test centre in Darby, Pennsylvania. AP
A driver places a swab into a vial at a drive-through test centre in Darby, Pennsylvania. AP
Medics take a swab from a patient outside a doctor's office in Laatzen, Germany. AP
Medics take a swab from a patient outside a doctor's office in Laatzen, Germany. AP
Residents undergo nucleic acid tests at a Covid-19 test centre in Anyang, China. AFP
Residents undergo nucleic acid tests at a Covid-19 test centre in Anyang, China. AFP
A man receives a shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow. EPA
A man receives a shot of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine in Moscow. EPA
A health worker collects a swab sample at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
A health worker collects a swab sample at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AFP
A health worker collects a swab sample from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
A health worker collects a swab sample from a member of the media before the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. AFP
Medics transfer a Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Krasnodar, Russia. AP
Medics transfer a Covid-19 patient at a hospital in Krasnodar, Russia. AP

Mr Brown said the most urgent and immediate priority in tackling Covid-19, and sending more vaccines to people especially in developing countries, was money.

“People are dying now because we can’t get enough vaccines and equipment and therapeutics to them quickly enough," he said. "We have to solve the problem now and that requires proper funding.

“People have become complacent about Covid. Our global health funds are fast running out of money. Vaccine inequity is getting worse.”

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
While you're here
More on animal trafficking
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

The specs

Engine: 5.0-litre V8

Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm

Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: L/100km

Price: Dh306,495

On sale: now

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UAE currency
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206-cylinder%203-litre%2C%20with%20petrol%20and%20diesel%20variants%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20286hp%20(petrol)%2C%20249hp%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%20(petrol)%2C%20550Nm%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EStarting%20at%20%2469%2C800%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

A Dog's Journey 

Directed by: Gail Mancuso

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Josh Gad, Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott

3 out of 5 stars

While you're here
Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

MOTHER%20OF%20STRANGERS
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What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
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German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

57%20Seconds
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If you go

The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.


The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.


The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.

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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Race card

1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.

2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.

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3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m.

4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m.

4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m.

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1.45pm: Galaxy Road – So Hi Speed

2.15pm: Majestic Thunder – Daltrey

2.45pm: Call To War – Taamol

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3.45pm: Kidd Malibu – Initial

4.15pm: Arroway – Arch Gold

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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 480hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 570Nm from 2,300-5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 10.4L/100km

Price: from Dh547,600

On sale: now 

Updated: February 11, 2022, 12:01 AM`
Coronavirus