Jomo: Vaccine nationalism, prospects of more profits may cause more losses of lives

Professor Dr K.S. Jomo. - The Star/ANN

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 (The Star/ANN): “Oh what a tangled web we weave When first we practice to deceive”. Walter Scott’s lines, already over two centuries old, nicely sum up how pursuit of national advantage and private gain have undermined the public interest and the common good.

As known Covid-19 infections exceed 100 million internationally, with more than two million lives lost, rich countries are now quarrelling publicly over access to limited vaccine supplies. With ‘vaccine nationalism’ widespread, multilateral arrangements have not been able to address current challenges well.