OVERVIEW: Rich countries to address unequal global vaccine rollout, and other developments

Covid-19 live updates: Club of rich countries to address unequal global vaccine rollout According to the World Health Organization, of the 832 million vaccine doses administered around the world by mid-April, just 0.2% were given in lower-income countries. Jennifer Hassan, Paul Schemm, Lateshia Beachum Washington Post

he foreign ministers of some of the world’s richest and most powerful countries are meeting Wednesday in London, where they are expected to address the unequal global rollout of coronavirus vaccines.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed on Tuesday that “the global roll out of vaccines will be key in defeating the pandemic,” according to a statement from Johnson’s office, and they highlighted the role of the Group of Seven nations “to increase international manufacturing capability” for vaccines.

While Western nations are on track to vaccinate half their populations by summer, inoculations among most lower-income countries have barely started, largely because of inadequate access to vaccines.

Two members of the Indian delegation observing the meeting later tested positive for the virus, and the whole delegation had to isolate.

India and South Africa are pushing a measure at the World Trade Organization to temporarily waive patents on key vaccines, a move that pharmaceutical companies and their host nations oppose.