ABC News: World Health Organization announces distribution plan for COVID-19 vaccine
“…The World Health Organization and its appointed Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization, or SAGE, have released a worldwide vaccine distribution plan — it pushes back on so-called vaccine nationalism, the idea that each country should prioritize its own citizens. Instead, the WHO touts a global approach, prioritizing vaccination among the most vulnerable people everywhere…” (Harrison, 9/15).

U.N. News: WHO chief makes last push for countries to join multilateral COVID-19 vaccine effort
“Countries which have not signed on to a global mechanism that has pledged to provide fair and timely access to a COVID-19 vaccine, are urged to do so before Friday, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) told a virtual meeting of Member States, held on the eve of the deadline. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reminded participants that so far, more than 170 countries have expressed interest in joining the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility…” (9/17).

Wall Street Journal: Developing Countries Push to Limit Patent Protections for Covid-19 Vaccines
“A group of developing countries, backed by United Nations agencies and activist groups, is pushing to limit patent protections for Covid-19 vaccines being tested by some of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies so that inexpensive copies can be produced for poorer nations. South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Pakistan, and others argue they won’t be able to afford to protect their people without lower-cost, generic alternatives to the vaccines now being tested by companies such as Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, and Moderna Inc…” (Shah, 9/17).

Homeland Preparedness News: WHO urges equitable access to COVID-19 tools, maintenance and preparation (Galford, 9/17).

Reuters: Exclusive: France won’t buy vaccines through WHO’s COVAX scheme — ministry source (Blamont et al., 9/17).

Reuters: Latin American nations seek more time to join WHO vaccine plan (Boadle et al., 9/17).

Reuters: WHO says safety comes first as over 170 nations join COVID-19 vaccine plan (Geddie/Aravindan, 9/17).