Monopolies on Covid vaccines are killing people in poorer countries

On 10 July, Dr Abraham Sokhaya Nkomo died of COVID-19 in Pretoria, South Africa. Abe Nkomo, as he was popularly known, was a giant of South African public life: a physician, an anti-apartheid organiser, a Member of Parliament, a diplomat and a longtime public health activist.

He received his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on June 9. On June 24, his family noticed he had developed flu-like symptoms, and moved him to a hospital after he tested positive for Covid. At first, he seemed to be beating the infection. Soon, however, his oxygen levels dropped, and he needed a ventilator. He was then shifted into ICU, where his condition declined rapidly.