On Friday, World Health Organization chief Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke about the coronavirus pandemic and the global health challenges related to it at the Davos Agenda 2021.

While addressing virtually via video session, the WHO Chief reiterated the significance of effectively containing the spread of coronavirus and especially focused on the widespread distribution of coronavirus vaccines across the globe.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a powerful demonstration that health isn't a commodity or a luxury item; it’s a fundamental human right, and the foundation of social, economic, and political stability.

Dr. Tedros further added:

This week, we reached 100 million reported cases. More COVID-19 cases have been reported in the past 2 weeks than in the first six months.  The pandemic has exposed and exploited the inequalities of our world. There is now the real danger that the very tools that could help to end the COVID-19 pandemic – vaccines – may exacerbate those same inequalities. 

Tedros urged the governments to make sure to vaccinate health care providers and the elderly on a preferential basis. He even went on to say that this task should begin across the globe within the first 100 days of 2021. 

We face a huge challenge in the coming weeks. We must ensure that vaccination of health workers & older people is underway in all countries within the first 100 days of this year. We have just 71 days left. Time is short. Every moment counts. 

WHO chief hailed the development of effective vaccines by multiple pharmaceutical companies within a year of pandemic and termed it as "a stunning scientific achievement."