Today, the UK has announced a set of measures in response to new strains of the Covid-19 virus coming into the country, in particular the virulent new strain from South Africa. This news comes just days after the WHO urged Britain to do more to share doses of the vaccine to help fight the virus. Responding to the news, anti-poverty group ONE emphasises the importance of getting the vaccine to everyone, everywhere if we are to end the pandemic for good.

Romilly Greenhill, UK Director of ONE, said: “These dangerous new strains show that we’re in an arms race against the virus, one we must win. Letting the virus evolve and mutate rather than doing everything needed to vaccinate the whole world as soon as possible is akin to letting your worst enemy develop the Death Star before you fight back. 

“The only way to counter this danger is for all countries to massively increase the pace at which they are producing vaccines and come up with a plan to get doses to every corner of the planet as quickly as possible. If we fail to act quick enough, the virus will keep on coming back and threatening the lives and livelihoods of people at home and abroad.

“Britain has a vital opportunity in 2021 to play a key role shaping the response to the pandemic – and should use our leadership of the G7 this year ensure there is a workable plan to get vaccines to everyone who needs them around the world.”