Thread by @RedCrossPolicy

This #WorldImmunisationWeek we wanted to take the opportunity to look back at our support with the COVID-19 vaccination effort and what more still needs to be done to ensure that everyone around the world is able access vaccination.

Since the start of COVID-19, the British Red Cross has been on the ground in communities supporting the most vulnerable people to stay safe. In the UK, we have focused on making sure that the most vulnerable groups get vaccinated.

The British Red Cross has also been working to combat misinformation around the vaccine. We worked to map vaccine hesitancy helping to reach communities who would most benefit from information during vaccine rollout.

Around the world, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been on the frontline supporting their countries’ in the fight against COVID-19.

No one is safe until everyone is safe. The need for global vaccine equity is becoming ever more apparent. #VaccineEquity

However, the goal of a ‘people’s vaccine’ is far from being reached. There are still many challenges including supply, distribution, expiration and vaccine hesitancy.

It is a humanitarian imperative and our shared responsibility to ensure that lives everywhere are protected, we are calling for governments to:

1. Enable fair and equitable access to vaccination by scaling up COVID-19 vaccine supply to countries and regions with low vaccination rates, through both COVAX and bilateral donations.

2. Invest in and support local actors to ensure that vaccines are distributed efficiently and effectively.

3. Strengthen the capacity for COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution worldwide, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. This must include supporting a patent waiver on vaccine technologies.

4. Prioritise the sharing of technology and knowledge. Investments made now will strengthen the global response to future epidemics and pandemics.

5. Lift remaining barriers to allow humanitarian agencies to administer vaccines to vulnerable communities. This includes removing the requirement that they take liability for vaccinations.