The UK government’s vaccine programme is finally paying dividends in the fight against Ebola, with a sharp drop in mortality rates across West Africa. Sources confirm that a joint operation between the Foreign Office and pharmaceutical giants has delivered over 200,000 doses to the region in the past month. For once, the suits in Whitehall have got something right.
But follow the money. The UK taxpayer has forked out £150 million for a scheme that’s been mired in delays and cost overruns. So why the sudden success? Uncovered documents show that biotech firm VaxCo received a bonus payment of £12 million for hitting delivery targets. The same firm has been accused of price gouging during the pandemic. Old habits die hard.
On the ground, the results are undeniable. Health workers in Sierra Leone report a 70 per cent survival rate among those vaccinated. Dr Amara Kallon, a local medic, told this journalist: “We are seeing people walk out of isolation units. It’s a miracle. For the first time in months, we are sharing smiles.” But the joy is fragile. One bad batch could undo all the progress.
The real story is the money: who gets it, who controls it, and who dies when the funding dries up. The UK’s aid budget has been slashed by billions. This vaccine programme is a bright spot, but it’s funded by the same political games that created the crisis in the first place. The suits will take the credit. We will be watching where the cash goes.
