sportanddev joins global campaign for vaccine equity

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a call for the world to work together to ensure that vaccination campaigns in all countries start by World Health Day on 7 April, to fight in solidarity against COVID-19.

This campaign for vaccine equity aims to highlight that many of the most precarious individuals in fragile situations and places across the world do not have access to COVID-19 vaccinations. It serves as a symbol of hope to overcome the pandemic and address the social inequalities that are the root cause of many global health challenges.

Thousands of people and hundreds of organisations have signed the WHO’s vaccine equity declaration. The declaration calls on governments and manufacturers to speed up regulatory processes, boost manufacturing by sharing know-how, and ensure that doses are administered in an equitable way.

Sport and global healthcare challenges

While some may question the importance of sport during such a pandemic, it is clear that the soft skills and life lessons that we learn through sports are integral for us to build back better.

The resilience shown by many groups across the world in the face of the pandemic is commendable, and only by working together, as a global team, can we emerge stronger and ready to face new challenges. The call for vaccine equity is symbolic of the sporting values of fair play and equal opportunity – no one can get ahead without everyone getting fair access.

Recognising this integral link between sports and global health, the sport sector has vociferously supported the campaign for vaccine equity. Signatories of declaration include sport stars like Romain Grosjean and organisations like the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, World Rugby and FIFA. We at sportanddev have also shown our support by signing the declaration.

What can you do?

Sign the WHO declaration for vaccine equity today! You can sign it as an individual, to show your personal support for the campaign or on behalf of your organisation. Spread information about the campaign through your networks and social media and use the #VaccinEquity hashtag. No effort is too small in this effort against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UN campaign for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) also calls for vaccine equity so that we can all partake in sport safely and together again. Find out more about this campaign here.