As vaccines are rolled out in many – mostly wealthy – countries, PHR is pushing for a just and equitable distribution, grounded in science, ethics, and human rights. A global vaccine will only be effective if no one is left behind.
Arm in arm, we must stand together to demand vaccine equity now, which is why PHR is partnering with Oxfam America and other leading human rights organizations in pushing for a People’s Vaccine.
To truly get the COVID-19 pandemic under control, vaccine production and distribution must be widespread, fair, and equitable. In applying a human rights framework to the life-saving production and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is calling on all governments – whether acting alone, in concert, or through international institutions like the World Health Organization – to prioritize the following three areas:
- Protecting frontline health care workers who continue to risk their health and safety to treat and protect others;
- Protecting marginalized and historically disadvantaged communities who are most at-risk and least likely to be protected from the virus or treated if they become sick; and
- Ensuring an equitable global production and distribution of vaccines by advocating for adequate funding and effective processes for resource constrained settings to acquire a fair share of vaccines and to ensure free and fair distribution.
