National

UN Security Council demands COVID-19 vaccine ceasefires

Feb 27, 2021

United Nations, February 27: The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously passed a resolution calling on all member states to support a "sustained humanitarian pause" to local conflicts, in order to allow for COVID-19 vaccinations.
Resolution 2656, adopted unanimously by the 15-member council, will enable the vaccines, which COVAX began distributing on Feb. 24, to reach those living in conflict areas.
The resolution calls on all UN member states to fund the COVAX initiative in order to help developing countries access coronavirus vaccines; to cooperate on overcoming logistical barriers to equitable access, including the inclusion of vulnerable groups such as refugees in national vaccination programs; and to support local ceasefires so coronavirus vaccinations can actually take place in conflict zones.
Ceasefires have been used to vaccinate vulnerable communities in the past. In 2001, a two-day pause in fighting in Afghanistan gave 35,000 health workers and volunteers the opportunity to vaccinate 5.7 million children under five against polio.
The first deliveries of COVAX vaccines took place on Feb. 24, with 600,000 does of the AstraZeneca vaccine arriving in Ghana.
Briefing journalists afterwards, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus argued that more could be done.
While welcoming the historic resolution and upholding the importance of vaccine equity, he said that "concrete steps should be taken" to waive intellectual property rights to increase vaccine production "and get rid of this virus as soon as possible."
"The virus has taken the whole world hostage," Tedros said. "The UN Security Council can do it, if there is political will."
Source: Xinhua

More news

Crafting Bharat - S2, powered by AWS Startups and an initiative by NewsReach, launches ninth episode with Dr. Raunak Bhinge, MD of Infinite Uptime

New Delhi [India], July 8: Artificial Intelligence offers India a unique opportunity to revolutionize its manufacturing sector, positioning it as a cutting-edge factory and service center for the global economy. By harnessing AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and digital innovation, India can boost productivity, quality, and competitiveness across industries from automotive to pharmaceuticals. This promises sustainable growth and solidifies India's leadership. AI adoption is vital to the Viksit Bharat vision, driving India's evolution into a developed nation by 2047.

Jul 08, 2025