In the last day of the 4 day series, Anne- Marie Dias Borges moderates on this topic of concern that is very much a priority in our minds as we all have been affected in one way or another by this global pandemic. Covid-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the health and welfare of billions of people.

Did you ever think that little over the year, after the World Health Organization declared the pandemic, that safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines would already be in use? Despite the vaccines, still great challenges remain.

While the rollout of these vaccines in developing countries is critical in protecting lives, building human capital and stimulating economic recovery, the current crisis has exacerbated inequalities throughout the world. Without access to vaccines, gaps continue to widen further. Ensuring developing countries can access as well as distribute safe vaccines, calls for strong partnerships and cooperation.

Young people have been adversely affected by this pandemic. They have missed out on attending schools and universities, faced unemployment, yet there are cases where, some of them are the family heads supporting their family members, some are coping with mental health issues and some have suffered or encountered Gender Based Violence.

With all these challenges that young men and women face, they still have hopes for a better tomorrow. Various youths were given the chance to air out some of the challenges they have encountered during this pandemic period and this is what they had to say;

“Nobody was prepared for the challenges that the COVID pandemic threw at us , virtual classes meant frequent power outages, and all sorts of hurdles that posed as a difficulty to learning. Education is very key among the youth.”

Education among the youth has been adversely affected more so in Africa as universities and colleges had to close down and come up with innovative ways of having online classes. COVID-19 has also been a big distractor for jobs. A recent survey shows that 40% of the population of workers have either lost their jobs or are experiencing reduced income. 

COVID-19 impact threatens to reverse a decade of gains in human capital. To be able to save lives, access to vaccines is very critical. In order to have enough vaccines for developing countries, two key things need to be addressed: increased support in vaccine production, essential medical equipment and strengthening health services and ensuring there is a secure supply chain at the national level.

Success in securing a national level supply chain, could definitely lead to a successful acquisition of the global level supply chain. There is need to have greater transparency around contracting arrangements between pharmaceutical companies that develop vaccines and their contract manufacturers, to create opportunities for increased and direct flow of approved vaccines.

Further strengthening of private-public cooperation is important in rebuilding and strengthening health systems. There is a high need to protect and invest in people. Investment in health, education, gender, and social protection helps build resilience when countries face crises, whether from economic downturns, pandemics or climate change.

As countries turn their focus to sustainable growth, there are intense fiscal pressures they face, thereby the need to prioritize smart investments in people that deliver dividends for the future. It is critical to get economies to grow faster and to keep more families from falling into poverty. These steps and partnerships within countries, across regions and globally are the essential building blocks to a sustainable and inclusive recovery.

National unity and global solidarity is important.

If major countries join hands in agreement to solve this problem and address vaccine equity, they can do it. These major countries have everything at their disposal to solve this, all except their political will. Many countries have narrow nationalism rather than the enlightened nationalism. If leaders avoid politicization of this pandemic at country levels, we will be able to work together and achieve a faster recovery.

Women and children have been greatly affected by this pandemic. Women are often the primary caregivers. They work both as health workers and home managers, and as a result, are torn in every direction. Their participation at work and unpaid work is generally reducing around the world. Progress on child poverty and hunger is going backwards. An entire generation have had their learning disrupted and millions of children especially girls may never go back to school, so we need to act now.

According to statistics, 140 million children that are likely to fall below the poverty line with their families and 168 million have been out of school for more than 9 months. 1 out of 3 children do not have access to any form of remote learning.

Many children are getting their lessons online either through cell phones, tablets, radios or televisions. These are essential services that all children should have access to but they are not always available. This in most cases leads to the woman taking roles of not only being a parent but also a teacher therefore making it difficult for her to be out there engaging in a paying job.

The concern for all countries is to rebuild better, stronger, learning institutions and keep the solidarity not only in the health area but also across the development spectrum and this crisis has shown only together will we survive, only together will we strive and only together will we prosper.

COVID-19 vaccine will save lives. Vaccination for all is possible if we work together. Successful deployment of the vaccine will have an enormous impact on so many aspects of our lives. Fast and fair access to the vaccines is vital for a strong global economic recovery that will reduce poverty, provide jobs, help close gender gaps and support education for the most vulnerable.

To be able to support the low and middle income countries, developed countries could donate surplus vaccines, share technology and knowhow, invest in scaling up production levels in the low and middle income countries and commit to the principle that, we should be vaccinating all vulnerable people without discrimination.

COVAX was set up to try to accelerate the development and the access of vaccines for every country in the world. Pope Francis shares his thoughts,

“We especially need justly financed vaccine solidarity, for we cannot allow the law of the marketplace to take precedence over the law of love and the health of all. I reiterate my call to government leaders, businesses and international organizations to work together in providing vaccines for all, especially for the most vulnerable and needy.”

What is the youth perspective on the vaccine?

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about COVID 19 vaccines. If youths are actively involved in the COVID 19 vaccine distribution and administration process, they will provide and act as influencers in providing relevant information that will debunk these myths and misconceptions, thereby promoting youth compliance and acceptance of the vaccine.

Through education, the youth will create awareness responsibly and accurately about the effect of the pandemic on physical and mental health and the rules to be followed. Young people have the ability and creativity to come up with new solutions that could be targeted for solving social problems or serving the community.

Governments require both support and criticisms in their policies for recovery, and the youth can offer both, using all the platforms at their disposal, especially social media. The youth have the time and energy to come up with ideas and mechanisms to help us recover and rise stronger. 

For us to be able to recover faster from this global crisis, we need to work together to develop the delivery systems of these vaccines, ensure manufacturers keep to the deals and ensure availability of these vaccines to everyone.

Our key question for you

• What do you think is the most important factor in ensuring the fair distribution of vaccines?

• What are your thoughts on the COVID-19 vaccines? Have you been vaccinated?

• If yes/ no, why?

Share with us your thoughts on the COVID-19 vaccination.

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We would be happy to hear your perspective on this topic