Experts warn Covid could mutate in a year and render current vaccines useless if developed nations don’t step in – as it’s revealed nineteen countries battling the virus won’t reach the 70 per cent jab rate until after 2030
- End Covid for All believe action needs to be taken to avoid virus mutating
- Nineteen low-income countries won’t reach a 70 per cent vax rate by 2030
- It comes as NSW ended 106 days of lockdown on Monday morning
The Morrison government is being urged to commit to further action to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in poor countries before the virus mutates and renders current vaccines ineffective.
The warning came as NSW ended 100 days of lockdown on Monday after reaching a 70 per cent double-dose vaccination rate late last week, while the ACT will end its restrictions on Friday and Victoria later this month.
A new report from the End Covid for all Campaign says two-thirds of 77 epidemiologists in 28 developing countries believe if action is not taken now, it would take less than a year before the virus mutates.
At the current rate, more than 19 low-income countries won’t reach a 70 per cent vaccination rate until after 2030.
At the current rate, more than 19 low-income countries won’t reach a 70 per cent vaccination rate until after 2030
‘The longer we allow developing countries to lag in terms of vaccination rates, the more time we give the virus to mutate and spread,’ campaign spokesman Reverend Tim Costello said.
‘That is why it is vital the Australian government steps up and provides a fair share commitment of an additional $250 million and 20 million vaccine doses to COVAX.’
COVAX is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines.
‘The Delta strain, and the havoc it has wreaked across Australia, shows we cannot allow Covid to run rampant and mutate overseas,’ Rev Costello said.
Deloitte Access Economics partner Chris Richardson agrees if poor nations are mostly unvaccinated, that’s a problem for everyone, as it means more mutations could be coming.
There is evidence to suggest that Covid could mutate in a year.
At the same, as rich countries like the US recover, they will start to unwind their policies of super cheap credit – policies that have helped the poor countries stay afloat.
Deloitte Access Economics partner Chris Richardson agrees if poor nations are mostly unvaccinated, that’s a problem for everyone, as it means more mutations could be coming
‘So we see a two-track global recovery, with advanced economies continuing to recover and repair through 2022, but the developing world stuck in the doldrums until 2023,’ Mr Richardson said.
Meanwhile, NSW announced 477 new cases on its final lockdown day, but also an additional six deaths – all men aged between 50 and 70 and none fully vaccinated.
Victoria saw a further 1890 infections, slightly smaller than the record 1965 announced on Saturday.
There were also a further five deaths.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews expects the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination rate will be met in his state on October 26 when restrictions will being to ease.
Victoria saw a further 1890 infections, slightly smaller than the record 1965 announced on Saturday.
There were also a further five deaths.
The ACT recorded 30 new cases on Sunday.