13 December, 2021 – The GPM endorses the African and European Statement on Covid-19 Vaccine Equity, calling equal access to vaccines for everyone, having a coordinated and global response to ensure vaccines reach people faster.
Urgent action needs to be taken to improve the access to vaccines for all, and more specifically to accelerate the vaccination process in Africa, where the rates are the lowest in the world. Hence, sharing vaccines between European and African countries, supporting local distribution of vaccines, and engagement are necessary for a green and just recovery.
The new Covid-19 Omicron/ B1.1.529 variant is a wakeup call for governments everywhere: no-one is safe until everyone is safe. We can still make a real difference to minimize the impact of Covid-19 in our cities, but only when all urban residents in Africa and Europe have equal access to vaccines.
Read the full statement here.