The apathy displayed by the global community in relation to the ongoing pandemic highlights the callous nature of human civilisation. As per recent reports only four per cent of the population in Africa has received one dose of the covid vaccine. In contrast 70% of the population in the United States and United Kingdom have received at least the first dose of the said vaccine. This means that almost all of Africa’s population is completely exposed to the highly transmissible and deadly Covid-19 Delta Variant. This is representative of the current situation wherein wealthy nations have stockpiled their arsenal of vaccines whilst poor nations have been left vulnerable to the new variant. According to the World Health Organigation (WHO) high income countries have administered 100 doses for 100 people while countries with lower income have only been able to administer only 1.5 shots for every hundred people.
The disparity in the distribution of vaccines along with the new variant of the virus has led to an 80% rise in covid cases in Africa. This lack of vaccine availability is mainly a result of misplaced priorities. Whilst it is unwise for the government of any nation to ignore the needs of its own population, there also needs to be an understanding of the collective threat that this pandemic possess. The increasing disparity in the distribution of vaccine will not only lead to death and destruction in lower income countries, but it also has the possibility of undoing the vaccination process that has taken place in developed countries as one cannot predict the threat that these new variant may possess. Furthermore this disparity in the distribution of vaccines is also a reflection of neo-colonialism. Technically, we may live in a decolonised world. But the disparity of wealth and resources highlight that while decolonised countries may have independent governments they are still at the mercy of their ‘first world counterparts. This just goes on to highlight the lack of effort put in by the global community when it comes to the development of the lower income countries. Developed countries simply refuse to accept the fact that the world belongs to everyone. Humanity will only thrive if we remain united. Otherwise, we invite our own doom. This lack of commitment is more starkly visible now as humanity faces one of its most severe crises in centuries. Until and unless there is a consistent and committed effort by all nations to strengthen these sections of the global community this crisis or any future crisis cannot be averted. At this hour it is a necessity to supply the lower income countries with vaccines. The inability to do this will result in devastation for all. If history has taught us anything it’s that ignorance in these severe moments of crisis can never lead to a solution.