World Health Organization takes aim at market as many still not getting vaccines they need
Government, industry and health organisations must do more
Hard-won gains from vaccines are at risk. Far too many people still do not have access to the vaccines they need, with nearly 20 million infants missing out each year, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).
His warnings preface a report on the global vaccine supply chain from the WHO, which calls on governments, industry and international institutions to do more to boost sustainable and equitable access to vaccines.
More than 90 manufacturers supplied vaccines to WHO member states in 2021, yet supply remains highly dependent on fewer than 10 manufacturers, the report notes. Often, for individual vaccines, there are only two or three suppliers.