Allegedly this new variety emerged in southern Africa, one of the least vaccinated vaccinated continents on the planet. Photo: Internet.

By Guillermo Alvarado

Since the first symptoms of the syndrome known as "vaccine nationalism" began to appear, associated both with the COVID-19 pandemic and the selfishness of the most powerful, clear minds warned about the fearful consequences that such behavior could entail.

The United States and the leading powers of the European Union hoarded vaccines, far more than necessary considering their population, and thus deprived poor nations in the rest of the world of these important products to contain the disease.

With marked cunning, the transnational pharmaceutical companies sold en masse to the most developed countries to make profits in a short time, as written in their genetic code, failing to comply with their commitment to mechanisms such as COVAX, aimed at guaranteeing equitable distribution.

I repeat once again with Fouché that this, more than a crime, was stupidity because it violates the principle, also mentioned before, that in a pandemic no one is safe until everyone is safe.

In global terms, nothing is gained by vaccinating one part of humanity, because as the virus circulates in the other part, it mutates and creates more dangerous strains, as happened with the Delta and now with the so-called Omicron.

Allegedly, this new strain emerged in southern Africa, one of the least vaccinated continents on the planet, and experts from the World Health Organization, WHO, drew attention to the presence in it of some 30 mutations which make it potentially more contagious.

Although the existence of this strain was announced relatively recently, there are already suspected cases in several places, including Germany, the Netherlands (formerly Holland), the United Kingdom, Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel and Botswana.

Initial reactions have been panic-stricken, including a sharp fall in the prices of the main Western stock markets, especially in the price of raw materials, particularly oil.

In addition, the United States and Europe announced a ban on flights from a group of southern African countries, which was considered unconscionable by the South African government.

The South African Foreign Ministry recalled that the WHO asked world leaders not to act on impulse and pointed out that in the face of this global health crisis, the most important thing is to cooperate and share knowledge about it without barriers of any kind.

Any form of discrimination or exclusion in the distribution and use of vaccines will have consequences for everyone, rich or poor, a warning that has already been made but has not been heeded.