G-20 opens with call for more vaccines for poor countries

By NICOLE WINFIELD, DAVID McHUGH and SYLVIE CORBET
Associated Press

ROME (AP) — A summit of leaders from the world’s powerhouse economies has been challenged to pick up the pace in getting vaccines to poor countries. Italian Premier Mario Draghi, hosting the Group of 20’s two-day gathering, blasted the gaping global COVID-19 vaccine gap “morally unacceptable.” Draghi on Saturday lamented that that only 3% of people in the world’s poorest countries are vaccinated, while 70% in rich countries have had at least one shot. The leaders of the world’s economic powers are taking part in the first in-person summit since the coronavirus pandemic. The first day focused on global health and the economy, with a meeting on the sidelines on Iran’s nuclear program.