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Sunday, 15 August 2021

The unequal distribution of doses, brought to you by Gavi / Covax

Is COVAX a solution or adding to the vaccine inequity problem? The Gavi / Covax program sent some 530k doses to Britain in late June, which is more than double the jabs sent to the entire Africa during the same month, despite bns of people in developing countries not yet having their first doses, the Associated Press reports. This comes despite the program reportedly reviewing its initial plan this month and proposing that poorer countries would receive about 75% of covid-19 jabs in the future compared to the previous 50%.

So why is the UK getting so many jabs and this side of the world is struggling for just one dose? It would be difficult to secure doses with some manufacturers without the engagement of rich countries, Gavi noted.

The global vaccine distribution initiative plans to deliver over 2 bn doses by the beginning of 2022, with the “vast majority" of the doses to go to low- and middle-income countries, Gavi said. COVAX had only shipped 210 mn doses —40% of which are donated— as at last month, although the initiative earlier announced securing 640 mn doses —all under agreements— for delivery by July 2021.

Egypt received some 4.3 mn of the 4.5 mn doses allocated to it by Covax. The country got the latest 1.76 mn-dose shipment of the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine received last weekend, which is slightly below the 1.9 mn outstanding shots that were expected to be delivered last week.

COVID PSA- A broadcast from planet D’uh: Regularly opening the car windows for 10-second intervals could reduce COVID-19 particle buildup by as much as 97%, according to a Swansea University study reported by the BBC. The study found that the difference in air pressure between the inside and outside of a car could eject most virulent particules, thus keeping the passengers safe.

But that doesn’t mean we’re exempt from mask-wearing: The researchers also discovered that COVID-19 particle emissions fall by 90% and its intake decreases by 70% for people wearing a face covering.

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