<p>The United Nations chief criticised the "many examples of vaccine nationalism and vaccine hoarding" as well as side deals with Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers that undermine access to all people in the world.</p>.<p>Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement marking one year since the UN World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic that "the global vaccination campaign represents the greatest moral test of our times."</p>.<p>Ensuring that all people are vaccinated -- and "many low-income countries have not yet received a single dose" -- is essential to restart the global economy "and help the world move from locking down societies to locking down the virus," he said.</p>.<p>Guterres reiterated his call for Covid-19 vaccines to be seen as “a global public good."</p>.<p>"The world needs to unite to produce and distribute sufficient vaccines for all, which means at least doubling manufacturing capacity around the world," he said. "That effort must start now."</p>.<p>The secretary-general paid tribute to health workers and other essential workers who have kept societies running.</p>.<p>"I salute all those who have stood up to the deniers and disinformation, and have followed science and safety protocols," he said. "You have helped save lives."</p>.<p>Guterres also commended "women, men and young people everywhere for adapting to work, learn and live in new ways." "So many lives have been lost," he said.</p>.<p>"Economies have been upended and societies left reeling. The most vulnerable have suffered the most. Those left behind are being left even further behind."</p>.<p>Some 117 million people are confirmed to have been infected by the coronavirus, and according to Johns Hopkins, more than 2.6 million people have died.</p>.<p>Guterres said the United Nations will keep pressing for affordable vaccines available for everyone and a recovery that improves the economy.</p>
<p>The United Nations chief criticised the "many examples of vaccine nationalism and vaccine hoarding" as well as side deals with Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers that undermine access to all people in the world.</p>.<p>Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement marking one year since the UN World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic that "the global vaccination campaign represents the greatest moral test of our times."</p>.<p>Ensuring that all people are vaccinated -- and "many low-income countries have not yet received a single dose" -- is essential to restart the global economy "and help the world move from locking down societies to locking down the virus," he said.</p>.<p>Guterres reiterated his call for Covid-19 vaccines to be seen as “a global public good."</p>.<p>"The world needs to unite to produce and distribute sufficient vaccines for all, which means at least doubling manufacturing capacity around the world," he said. "That effort must start now."</p>.<p>The secretary-general paid tribute to health workers and other essential workers who have kept societies running.</p>.<p>"I salute all those who have stood up to the deniers and disinformation, and have followed science and safety protocols," he said. "You have helped save lives."</p>.<p>Guterres also commended "women, men and young people everywhere for adapting to work, learn and live in new ways." "So many lives have been lost," he said.</p>.<p>"Economies have been upended and societies left reeling. The most vulnerable have suffered the most. Those left behind are being left even further behind."</p>.<p>Some 117 million people are confirmed to have been infected by the coronavirus, and according to Johns Hopkins, more than 2.6 million people have died.</p>.<p>Guterres said the United Nations will keep pressing for affordable vaccines available for everyone and a recovery that improves the economy.</p>