 South African President Siri Ramaphosa says if wealthy nations take more than enough COVID-19 shots while millions in poor countries died waiting for them, it would amount to vaccine apartheid. South Africa and India have been pushing for a waiver on some intellectual property rights for vaccines and medicines at the World Trade Organization. South Africa's president has warned against wealthy nations hogging COVID-19 shots while millions in poor countries die in the queue waiting for them. That, Siri Ramaphosa said, would be tantamount to, quote, vaccine apartheid. Sub-Saharan Africa has administered the fewest vaccines relative to its population than any other region. Eight doses per 1,000 people compared to 150 per 1,000 globally, according to the World Health Organization. South Africa and India have been pushing for a waiver on some intellectual property rights for vaccines so they can be manufactured domestically. US President Joe Biden backed the proposal last week, though it could take months to reach a deal. In a newsletter, Ramaphosa called on South Africans to support the waiver, saying vaccines should be a global public good. It is about affirming our commitment to the advancement of equality and human rights, not just in our own country, but around the world, he wrote. Ramaphosa said South Africa was one of only five countries on the African continent able to manufacture vaccines, and that there was a need for new capacity to be built. Hello, hope you enjoyed the news. Please do subscribe to our YouTube channel, and don't forget to hit the notification button so you get notified about fresh news updates.