On December 21, 2020, a container of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was seen at Houston's United Memorial Medical Center. Getty Images/Go Nakamura
One million doses of Moderna vaccines were sent to low-income nations.
According to The New York Times, the company was accused of being focused on profit.
Moderna stated to the Times that it has limited production capabilities and that it is fulfilling existing orders.
According to The New York Times, countries with lower incomes have received significantly less Moderna's vaccine than those in wealther nations.
Airfinity, a company that tracks vaccine shipments, reported that only about a million Moderna vaccine doses were sent to low-income countries. This compares to the 8.4 million doses Pfizer's vaccine, and approximately 25 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The Times reported that some middle-income countries had to pay more than the United States for the vaccine. Others like Botswana, which has made deals with Moderna, have not yet received their doses. Other countries like Tunisia, however, have not been able get in touch with Moderna.
Insider reported that Moderna's vaccine offers better protection than Johnson & Johnson's and Pfizer's over time. Moderna's vaccine proved to be 92% effective in preventing hospitalizations after being tested in hospitals across 20 cities. During that same time, Pfizer's efficacy dropped to 77%, and Johnson & Johnson's was at 68%.
The company stated in a press release that it had set out its goal to protect as many people around the world as possible. More than 250 million people worldwide have been vaccinated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination. We recognize however that not everyone has easy access to vaccines. We will continue to work towards a comprehensive strategy that is constantly evolving to ensure that all countries, including those with low incomes, have access to our vaccine.
Times reports that executives claimed they are producing as many doses possible, but that their production capacity is limited and that the doses being produced will be used to fulfill existing orders.
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Former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Tom Frieden, told The Times that the company "behaving like they have absolutely no responsibility other than maximising the return on investments."
Moderna stated in a press release that there are five "pillars" that will help expand vaccine access.
They are not allowed to enforce the patent on their vaccine
500 Million doses to be provided by COVAX in May 2021 under an agreement made with COVAX
Collaboration with governments that plan to donate vaccines for COVAX
However, the facility was not specified as a state of the art mRNA facility.
Invest to increase vaccine delivery capacity in low-income countries.
There has been a gap in vaccination rates between high-income and low-income countries. Although more than 46% have received at least one COVID-19 vaccination, this number isn't evenly distributed. Only 2.5% of low-income people got at least one.
With more than 80% of their population fully vaccinated, countries like Singapore, Portugal, and the United Arab Emirates are leading the charge. Only 1% of people in countries such as South Sudan, Uganda, or Ethiopia are fully vaccinated.
Moderna did not reply to Insider's request for comment via email at the time this article was published.
Business Insider has the original article.
