Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said: “We are going to present Mexico and Latin America’s position in regard to what is happening in the world, the inequality, the lack of fairness when it comes to vaccine access.

Mexico City, February 19 (RHC)-- At the United Nations, Mexico has denounced wealthy nations for hoarding COVID vaccines, saying the unequal distribution system will harm the globe.  Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said: “We are going to present Mexico and Latin America’s position in regard to what is happening in the world, the inequality, the lack of fairness when it comes to vaccine access.  The countries that produce vaccines have very high vaccination rates, and Latin America and the Caribbean, much less.”

In Mexico, less than 1% of the population has received at least one vaccine shot, compared to over 12% in the United States.  Over 177,000 people have died from COVID in Mexico — the world’s third-highest total after the U.S. and Brazil. 

According to the World Health Organization, there were nearly 130 countries as of last week with no vaccines.  On Wednesday, Gaza received 2,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine after the shipment was initially blocked by Israel.  Gaza health authorities say the first vaccines will go to at-risk residents but not medical personnel, since there are not enough doses. Meanwhile, El Salvador and South Africa have also begun vaccination campaigns.

Meanwhile, new research shows top executives at Pfizer, Moderna, Merck and other vaccine manufacturers sold nearly $500 million of stock last year as the value in the companies soared due to the pandemic.