Nestle Urges Covid Shot Delivery to Poorer Nations Amid Upswell

LAGOS (Capital Markets in Africa) — Nestle SA, the world’s largest food company, warned the gap in access to Covid-19 vaccines threatens the global recovery from the pandemic as India and Brazil face a virus resurgence.

The Swiss firm pledged more than 6 million francs ($6.6 million) to accelerate the delivery of shots to under-served communities around the world and partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The World Health Organization has called on governments and the private sector to help overcome the vaccine gap. Other companies that have donated to support equitable distribution include Royal Dutch Shell Plc and TikTok.

“Widespread vaccination is crucial to overcoming the pandemic,” Nestle said in an e-mailed statement. “There is an urgent need to advance equitable access of vaccines, particularly in low-income countries.”

India recorded the world’s biggest one-day jump in coronavirus cases, surpassing 300,000 in a deadlier second wave that’s leaving hospitals crammed. In Brazil, where mask-wearing is still not the rule, a new wave kindled by a virus mutation is affecting younger patients.

Nestle has also said it’d be willing to help with the logistics of the vaccine rollout once shots become more widely available.

The agreement with the Red Cross will help improve vaccine access for countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.