Global Affairs

The ugly face of vaccine nationalism

With national reputations at stake, signs are emerging of attempts to discredit rival vaccines

ST ILLUSTRATION: MANNY FRANCISCO
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LONDON • "In the coming months, we all hope to have good news about a vaccine for Covid-19," Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation, remarked recently.

But when an effective vaccine does become available, he reminded governments, the priority must be to administer it first to front-line health workers and those most vulnerable around the world, rather than witness a fight between nations as to which one succeeds in grabbing vaccine supplies first.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 19, 2020, with the headline The ugly face of vaccine nationalism. Subscribe