Gabon asks for increased COVID-19 vaccine production at the WTO meet

At the 12^th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, Gabon, through its minister of Trade and SME’s, Yves-Fernand Mamfoumbi stated the position of the country on 13^th June in Geneva. 

The Gabonese Minister called for greater vaccine access in the developing countries. He said,” The position of Gabon is based around three things: the support of all activities which are aimed at increasing vaccine production on all the continents in general and Africa in particular. Secondly, support of trade policies in order to achieve effective and optimal coverage of vaccination in the least developed countries. Thirdly, there should be promotion of access of vaccines by all social strata, in particular those who are the most vulnerable.”

This particular conference is being hosted in the context of international concern about the harmful effects of the COVID-19 virus. Gabon, characteristically like all other developing countries is asking for production of vaccines against COVID-19 to be shifted to the developing countries now and Africa particularly, as they are the ones who need it the most. 

This will increase access to effective treatments, provide for much greater disease control and also reduce the treatment cost for the vaccines. At the present, most of the pharmaceuticals which include vaccines and tests are being produced in developed nations.