Richard Marlink, director of the Rutgers Global Health Institute, is available to discuss the global health impact of coronavirus vaccine hoarding by rich countries and how such measures may derail worldwide efforts in fighting the pandemic.
“Hoarding of vaccines by the wealthiest nations has implications not only for the health of people in developing countries, but also for the global economy and the future health of entire societies,” said Marlink. “It is also a matter of social justice and basic human rights as nearly 70 countries will be waiting years to administer a life-saving vaccine to most of their citizens. That is inhumane.
“It is counterintuitive for rich countries to focus only on their populations as this global pandemic has circled the globe at enormous speed and will require global action to defeat it. For example, with the pandemic continuing in developing countries because of minimal access to vaccines, children will continue to miss school, perhaps for years. This selfishness will create a ripple effect that will haunt us for decades to come. The sooner we can come together to defeat COVID-19 worldwide, the sooner we can all begin to recover from its far reaching impacts.”
To interview Marlink, contact Lara De Meo Hoyt at lhoyt@globalhealth.rutgers.edu or 848-932-5827
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Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) takes an integrated approach to educating students, providing clinical care and conducting research, all with the goal of improving human health. Aligned with Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and collaborating university-wide, RBHS includes eight schools, a behavioral health network and four centers and institutes. RBHS offers an outstanding education in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, biomedical research and the full spectrum of allied health careers. RBHS clinical and academic facilities are located throughout the state.
