Reccomendations to the National Committee for the Management of the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan

Beirut 17/02/2021

Head of the National Committee for the Management of the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan,

Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Bizri,      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Topic: Developing an implementation plan to ensure that all residents of Lebanon have access to COVID-19 vaccine fairly.

The Lebanese Center for Human Rights is a Lebanese non-profit non-partisan organization. Based on our advocacy role in defending Human Rights, we hereby present to you some suggestions regarding overall access to the Covid-19 vaccine without any discrimination, which falls under the right to health and the rights of individuals not to be discriminated upon which is guaranteed under the “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination” and the “International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”.

 

The National Committee for the Management of the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan has cooperated with non-governmental organizations to share recommendations and suggestions regarding the plan for receiving the vaccine.

In addition, the Ministry of Public Health has declared its commitment to ensure that all people living on Lebanon’s territory have equitable access to corona vaccines and are included in the national vaccination program including refugees and migrants.

From here, and considering that the right to information and the right to health are fundamental Human Rights, CLDH has come to suggest the following from the National Committee for the Management of the COVID-19 Vaccine Plan in Lebanon:

  • First, sharing statistics that identify the age group, gender and nationality of those who received the vaccine in Lebanon and publishing the categories on public platforms without revealing vaccine recipients’ identities.

 

  • Secondly, establishing a practical plan that ensures that social and legal statuses do not affect the mechanism for receiving the vaccine, knowing that some refugees and migrants in Lebanon do not possess official documents to register via the “COVAX” website.

 

  • Thirdly, guaranteeing that a sufficient number and second doses of vaccines are available to those receiving the first dose and that this is publicized in awareness-raising and transparency campaigns aimed at the public opinion.

 

  • Fourthly, monitoring the profits of private institutions and hospitals that will buy the vaccine in the upcoming phase, through setting a monitoring program that includes setting a margin for their profits and includes their statistics and contribution within the National Plan for Receiving the Vaccine in order to reduce discretion and maintain clear and accurate numerical data on the number of vaccine recipients.

We have brought these recommendations to your attention and are ready to offer any cooperation in this regard.

 

Thank you for your corporation,

Wadih Al Asmar

President of the Lebanese Center for Human Rights