The best hope for defeating the coronavirus is not social distancing, but a vaccine that is distributed equitably, argues Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and chairman of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

SWITZERLAND, APRIL 06 – On April 12, the Democratic Republic of the Congo will mark 42 days since the last person who tested positive for Ebola was discharged from the hospital.

The date is a significant milestone. It refers to twice the maximum incubation period – 21 days – of the virus, which is how the World Health Organization stipulates when an outbreak is over. If all goes well, it will be a remarkable turnaround for the DRC and a testament to the bravery and dedication of health workers, some of whom lost their lives treating the sick.

The DRC’s success in combating Ebola was overshadowed by the fact that, during that fight, approximately twice as many people died from a preventable measles outbreak. One essential lesson for policymakers grappling with the greatest global health crisis in a century is that they must do everything in their power to prevent overstretched health systems from battling two epidemics simultaneously.

Our first priority is to maintain existing immunization programs. For measles, polio, or any other disease for which a low-cost vaccine is routinely available, it is critical that herd immunity is maintained in order to prevent any unnecessary drain on scarce health-care resources.

Next, we must bolster preparedness. A number of organizations, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (of which I am Chair), have made funds available – $200-$300 million in Gavi’s case – to help the world’s poorest health systems step up surveillance activities, invest in testing, procure protective equipment, and train health workers. Technology is playing a part, too: Despite valid privacy concerns, some countries are rolling out tracing apps – a relatively low cost, effective way to mitigate the virus’ spread. Africa is also using drones to distribute vaccines, protective equipment, and other vital supplies to remote areas.

Social distancing will slow the spread of COVID-19, but it will not win the war. Our best hope lies in finding a vaccine. While there may be 41 candidates of varying promise in the pipeline, we must learn from past mistakes. Too often, governments have sequestered vaccines in the countries where they were manufactured. We must ensure that when an effective vaccine becomes available, it is accessible to anyone who needs it, not just the rich, fortunate few.

There are ways to avoid the inequitable distribution of vaccines. Gavi, which procures and distributes vaccines to 60% of the world’s children at affordable prices, regularly employs innovative mechanisms such as the International Finance Facility for Immunization, Advanced Market Commitment, and Advanced Purchase Commitment to encourage vaccine production and delivery. In the case of Ebola, Gavi created incentivizes for Merck to stockpile an experimental Ebola vaccine that was then made available to the WHO, which deployed it in the DRC. It can incentivize the production, scale, and equitable global distribution of a vaccine for COVID-19 as well.

Poorer countries in Africa and elsewhere may be unable to deal with both the health and economic fallout of this pandemic on their own. The global effort that is already underway is essential, because COVID-19 knows no borders. No country is safe until every country is safe.

We are not yet near the end of the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. We must use what precious time we have to bolster our weakest health systems and economies. But shoring up our defenses is not enough. We must go on the offensive by making the development and global distribution of a vaccine our highest priority.

Bloodshed and fighting during a brutal civil war exacerbated the challenge facing the DRC as it fought the Ebola and measles outbreaks. The country experienced profound difficulties immunizing its population against entirely preventable diseases. It found itself fighting a multi-front health battle when it desperately needed to marshal its available resources against a major threat.

The trajectory of COVID-19 may be less advanced in many of the world’s poorest countries, but we must not fool ourselves that a warmer climate, or a younger demographic profile, will blunt its impact. The potential for death and disruption is even more pronounced than in the richer countries where the virus has hit hardest.

And yet weathering two significant health threats simultaneously has shown us how to prevent this nightmare scenario.

This article was culled from Project Syndicate: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/africa-ebola-outbreak-lessons-for-covid19-by-ngozi-okonjo-iweala-2020-04

Then develop the vaccine

I just hope the disease will not ravage Africa cos no health care exist here..God please save the people of Africa

I agree with madam Iweala, unless a vaccine is found, society can never go back to normal because new cases and infections will keep happening. Even China is also experiencing a resurgence of the spread as we speak.

Madam, I have my reservations about vaccine now especially if it will be coming from anything close to Bill Gates, please if that's the case, don't let them use you to achieve their evil agenda.

afroniger:
I agree with madam Iweala, unless a vaccine is found, society can never go back to normal because new cases and infections will keep happening. Even China is also experiencing a resurgence of the spread.

These people have long sold out

Good luck with that. So we just wait for another 12 months or so, if we are lucky and if the virus does not mutate

StaffofOrayan:



These people have long sold out

I don't understand. Please expantiate.

No vaccine yet

afroniger:


I don't understand. Please expantiate.

These are the faces of the one world govt in Africa

StaffofOrayan:



These are the faces of the one world govt in Africa

So you believe such mumbo jumbo? Las las you go dey alright.

Just face your okonjonomics madam! We don't like you talking about what you don't know

H

These people wi rather inject 7 billion people than looking for a cure for less than 500,000 people.

afroniger:


So you believe such mumbo jumbo? Las las you go dey alright.

You believe one world gov't is mumbo jumbo in 2020?
Have you gone through ur UN agendas?

Reading this article and finding out that this woman is heavily connected with Gavi Vaccines (and by extension Bill Gates) is very troubling.

For those who have no clue, please read up about ID2020 (an organization sponsored by Microsoft & Gavi). Read about what they're doing in Bangladesh using the guise of immunization & vaccination to deposit identity chips in new born babies.

For those who don't know or may not be willing to accept, the current pandemic has been deviously engineered to create the right atmosphere to advance global vaccinations...thereby achieving global identification.

There are too many sources I could point you to. But for those who are not intellectually lazy and who have the guts to question conventional narratives, I'll point to a few.

(1) Search YouTube for the documentary - OBSOLOTE. It was recorded by TruthMedia in 2016.
(2) Search YouTube for the documentary - WE'RE LIVING IN 12 MONKEYS. It was recorded by TruthMedia in March 2020.
(3) Search YouTube for a LondonReal interview with David Icke on the Corona Virus.

Stay Woke!

DatIgalaDude:
Madam, we been dey respect you before o.
How much them pay you to talk this one or anyone wet get money go suddenly become medical expert?

.

Even when she said what everyone have been saying.

You still accuse her of collecting money to say it.

So she and Bill Gates get the same agenda? Make i look up Gavi weda Gates na donor

The level of anti-intellectualism Nigerians exhibit on a daily basis is astronomically astounding. Just negodu comment umu aka!?

Macphenson:
Madam, I have my reservations about vaccine now especially if it will be coming from anything close to Bill Gates, please if that's the case, don't let them use you to achieve their evil agenda.

The world body for vaccine, GAVI, is already under Bill Gates' control. Bill Gates used virus attack against Windows OS for lucrative merchandise. He now sees humans as Windows OS. We or Government must buy his vaccines to stay alive. This guy really wants to have the world in his pocket.

SweetJoystick:
So she and Bill Gates get the same agenda? Make i look up Gavi weda Gates na donor

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a MAJOR partner of GAVI.

Gavi & Microsoft are major sponsors of ID2020.

Moneywirer:
Then develop the vaccine

why do you live with hatred and anger, that woman is not the person that put you into that condition.

Macphenson:
Madam, I have my reservations about vaccine now especially if it will be coming from anything close to Bill Gates, please if that's the case, don't let them use you to achieve their evil agenda.

StaffofOrayan:



These people have long sold out

StaffofOrayan:



These are the faces of the one world govt in Africa

fyneguy:


The world body for vaccine, GAVI, is already under Bill Gates' control. Bill Gates used virus attack against Windows OS for lucrative merchandise. He now sees humans as Windows OS. We or Government must buy his vaccines to stay alive. This guy really wants to have the world in his pocket.

Let me give this piece of advice.

The New World Order is not your usual senators, governors or President that you can revolt against.

The fact is that you can't stop the New World Order. You're totally hapless and helpless

No man can stop the coming of the Anti-Christ just as no man can stop the coming of the Messiah

This is a reality you must accept.

So what's your fear about the new world Order?

SIN

BruncleZuma:


The level of anti-intellectualism Nigerians exhibit on a daily basis is astronomically astounding. Just negodu comment umu aka!?

Intellectualism is just semantics! A project may look lofty, but with underlying ulterior motives. Don't bamboozle people with vague intellectualism.

DatIgalaDude:
Madam, we been dey respect you before o.
How much them pay you to talk this one or anyone wet get money go suddenly become medical expert?

what she said is pure truth no body paid her read properly.

Hope those french idiots have not given Madame something to convince Africans about testing their vaccine on Africans


I really respect Madame Ngozi tho, but o don't trust Europeans.

BruncleZuma:


The level of anti-intellectualism Nigerians exhibit on a daily basis is astronomically astounding. Just negodu comment umu aka!?

That would depend on what you refer to as “intellectualism” except you’re saying that is an exclusive preserve of the likes of Okonjo-Iweala.

fyneguy:


Intellectualism is just semantics! A project may look lofty, but with underlying ulterior motives. Don't bamboozle people with vague intellectualism.

nicely put

NaijaMutant:




Let me give this piece of advice.

The New World Order is not your usual senators, governors or President that you can revolt against.

The fact is that you can't stop the New World Order. You're totally hapless and helpless

No man can stop the coming of the Anti-Christ just as no man can stop the coming of the Messiah

This is a reality you must accept.

So what's your fear about the new world Order?

SIN

Let he that stand, take heed .. Lest fall.. However you made a good point.... No one can stop NWO...

StaffofOrayan:


You believe one world gov't is mumbo jumbo in 2020?
Have you gone through ur UN agendas?

Please pardon him.
Social media is like a market: it hosts a variety of ppl!