Shaheer Ahmed
Covid has been really harsh for the entire world. Every country is seen struggling with the outbreak of the pandemic. Every sector whether health, economy, industry, etc. has witnessed some major setbacks. The initial stage of the pandemic came as a blow to the world governments because every country was out of resources to control the disease. Even there were no vaccines available back then. However, gradually the world got a grip on it and started manufacturing vaccines. Most of the vaccines are successfully helping to curb the pandemic’s death rate. One of the most popular Covid vaccines is the one produced by Johnson and Johnson pharmaceuticals. However, it has come to our notice that J&J will no longer produce vaccines which is an alarming situation for developing countries.
As mentioned earlier, Covid has been a disaster for the world. The world we live in is divided into two categories i.e., developed and developing countries. The pandemic was dealt with differently by countries of both categories. The developed countries while taking the lead in manufacturing the vaccines, the developing countries, on the other hand, were seen dependent on the mercy of the vaccines manufactured by the formers. Moreover, the vaccines developed were supplied to countries at different rates. Vaccines like Moderna and Pfizer satisfied the developed world whereas, the developing countries found a way to curb the Covid by vaccines provided by J&J.
Most of the developing countries prefer vaccines supplied by Johnsons & Johnsons. The reasons behind this are: first, it is affordable, second, it is a one-dose vaccine, and third, it’s timely delivered. The J&J vaccines brought a sigh of relief to the developing countries. These countries are already struggling with failing economies, poverty, and the added pandemic problems completely expose these countries to further vulnerabilities. Amid all this, if the only help from the developed countries appears to be costly, what do you think the future of these countries would be? How are they going to combat Covid on their own?
Last year, the American company Johnson & Johnson lost its title of providing the vaccines in time. As it failed to deliver the vaccines to the developing countries. The reason behind it was the shutdown of its facility in Leiden, Netherland. Although the company ensured to provide the vaccines and uphold all its agreements. The Leiden facility is expected to again manufacture the Covid vaccine after a while. There are speculations that the Leiden plant is going to work on a more profitable and effective vaccine to counter the virus. However, it is still unknown whether Johnson & Johnson would be able to supply vaccines to the developing countries though the company has ensured the countries to not worry as that they have stockpiled vaccines.
One pharmaceutical company shuts down its vaccine manufacturing facility and it already sounds threatening. What if the poor countries don’t have the means to afford other vaccines? Do you really think the world could get rid of Covid? The international community should work collectively and bring down the prices of vaccines, so that the poor countries can afford them. Otherwise, we will have to face never-ending waves and variants of this deadly virus. We hope this problem is addressed before it leads the countries to disaster.
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