Secretary-General's Remarks to launch the "Only Together" Campaign

Today I am launching a new United Nations public advocacy campaign -- Only Together, which calls for COVID-19 vaccines to be available to everyone, everywhere.

This year of crisis has caused a tidal wave of suffering.

The virus has killed more than 2.5 million people, and left millions more with debilitating long-term health effects.

Families and economies are reeling.

Now, with the promise of vaccines, we can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Scientists worked wonders, developing safe and effective vaccines in record time.

We now have the tool to stop COVID-19 in its tracks.

But so far, a small number of rich countries are rolling out a majority of the doses.

COVID-19 vaccines must be considered a global public good.

No country can overcome this crisis in isolation.

Governments and businesses must share doses and technology so supply goes further, and distribution goes faster.

COVAX, the global vaccine initiative, is our best way to do just that.

So, let’s make it happen.

Only together can we protect healthcare workers and the world’s most vulnerable people.

Only together can we revive our economies.

Only together can we end this pandemic and recover.

And then, together, we can all get back to the things we love.