HRC49 - NB8 statement - Panel discussion on ensuring equitable, affordable, timely and universal access for all countries to vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Human Rights Council – 49th session

Panel discussion on ensuring equitable, affordable, timely and universal

access for all countries to vaccines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Statemeny by Norway on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries

10. March 2022

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries.

The pandemic is not over. It is an ongoing health crisis. It is also an economic and broader societal crisis. Until covid-19 vaccines, treatment, diagnostics and other tools become available to all, the risks of new variants will stay high.

The inequity in access to covid-19 tools underscores the need for solidarity. In an interdependent world, we must take collective action to ensure the realization of health as a human right. Multilateral mechanisms, such as ACT-A and COVAX, are our best bet to do so. Accordingly, we must finance these initiatives to deliver.

The inequity in access to covid-19 vaccines is stark. A key challenge now is ensuring delivery of vaccines. Vaccines are not effective until persons are vaccinated.

We must collectively address global, regional and local bottlenecks. This ranges from supply and cold chains to inclusion of marginalized populations and vaccine hesitancy.

Our approaches to vaccination must be inclusive. No one can be left behind. Covid-19 vaccines must be made available in humanitarian settings.

Ending the pandemic is in the mutual interest of all countries. It is an equity imperative. It is sound economic policy. It provides global health security.

Multilateral collaboration remains our key strategy towards universal vaccination and health for all.