The World Health Organization has called out a "shocking imbalance" in the global distribution of vaccines, with rich nations far outstripping poorer countries in their immunization drives.  

WHO executive director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that only 0.2 percent of vaccine doses administered globally so far have gone to low-income countries.  

"On average, in high-income countries, almost one-in-four people have received a vaccine. In low-income countries, it's one in more than 500," Tedros said during a press briefing on Friday.  

READ MORE

Tributes to Prince Philip

Soccer clubs boycott social media

Brexit pricing researchers out of the UK

The head of the global health organization also lambasted countries and companies who plan to strike bilateral deals on vaccine donations, bypassing the COVAX facility for "political or commercial reasons."

"These bilateral arrangements run the risk of fanning the flames of vaccine inequity. This is a time for partnership, not patronage," Tedros said, adding "Scarcity of supply is driving vaccine nationalism and vaccine diplomacy."

Many of the world's low-to-middle income countries are reliant on the COVAX facility, a global initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines led by UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the WHO, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. 

COVAX aims to deliver at least two billion vaccine doses to low and middle-income nations this year but has faced supply shortages from manufacturers and a lack of adequate funding from developed countries. COVAX is also competing with individual governments, bent on getting jabs in their citizens' arms before helping others or cutting side deals for vaccine charity – and glory.   

"Every time a bilateral deal gets done around the COVAX facility, it means less doses for COVAX and for equitable distribution," said Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.   

The rapid spread of COVID-19 variants has exacerbated the need to speed up the global roll-out of vaccines and governments and manufacturers have been urged to take the steps necessary to increase supply.  

At least 80 developing countries have backed an initiative for the World Trade Organization to waive patent rights in an effort to increase the production of COVID-19 vaccines. But rich members of the trade group, including the U.S. and EU, have blocked the initiative.    

Vaccine export ban in India could derail immunizations to poorer nations 

Efforts going forward could be further derailed by India. COVAX relies heavily on AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria vaccines produced at the Serum Institute of India (SII). In March, the government suspended the export of COVID-19 vaccines to meet domestic demand, forcing SII to divert nearly all of its doses to its home market.  

Exports could resume in June, but only if new COVID-19 infections decline. New infections in India are soaring at the moment, with more 130,000 new cases on Friday.  

The WHO said it is in ongoing talks with the Indian government over the export ban. It's also expediting the review of other vaccines, including China's Sinopharm and Sinovac, which could get the green light as soon as April 26.  

Both vaccine makers applied to have their jabs added to the COVAX facility in January. Approval by the WHO could aid their case and help diversify the COVAX portfolio. 

"We are in discussions with all of the manufacturers that have vaccines out now and will continue to do that until we determine that it makes sense to go ahead and purchase for the facility or not," Berkley said. 

Video editing: Jason Wright