The Duke of Sussex wore a black velvet tux from his Montecito, Calif., home as he made a virtual appearance at the British GQ Men of the Year Awards to honor doctors and scientists he called “the bulwark of humanity.” Prince Harry paid tribute to Professor Sarah Gilbert, Dr. Catherine Green, Emma Bolam, Ian Poulton, Laura Walker, Mwila Kasanyinga, Wendy Crocker, Lisa Stockdale, Jamie Fowler and Syed Adlou, as well as the rest of the Oxford University team who aided in the development of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. He also used his platform to urge the world to embrace vaccine equity, as the bulk of vaccinations have occurred in first-world Western nations. “I’m deeply honored to be introducing our final awardees, who you’ll immediately recognize for their landmark contribution to the fight against COVID-19. Their breakthrough research on the Oxford vaccine has brought the world one of our greatest tools for achieving vaccine equity,” he said in his speech. “As people sit in the room with you tonight, more than a third of the global population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. That’s more than five billion shots given around the world so far,” he said. “It sounds like a major accomplishment, and in many ways is. But there is a huge disparity between who can and cannot access the vaccine. Less than two percent of people in the developing world have received a single dose at this point, and many of their healthcare workers are still not even vaccinated. We cannot move forward together unless we address this imbalance as one. “They also approached their mission with a humanitarian urgency,” he continued. “In April of last year, the Oxford Team packed up a shipment of research cultures and stealthily sent it to India—an early example of the biotech collaboration we need to bring this global crisis to an end.” “Until every community can access the vaccine, and until every community is connected to trustworthy information about the vaccine, then we are all at risk. That’s a common refrain my wife and I have heard in convenings with vaccine experts, heads of industry, community advocates, and global leaders,” he added. Prince Harry also slammed social media for its role in the spread of vaccine misinformation and skepticism among those hesitant to get their jabs. “This is a system we need to break if we are to overcome COVID-19 and the rise of new variants. The Oxford team have done their part. They are heroes of the highest order who gave us an instrument to fight this disease. They are our nation’s pride, and we are deeply indebted to their service.” “For the rest of us—including global governments, pharmaceutical leaders, and heads of business—we have to keep doing our part. That must include sharing vaccine science and supporting and empowering developing countries with more flexibility. Where you’re born should not affect your ability to survive, when the drugs and know-how exist to keep you alive and well.” Next, relive Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s fairytale 2018 royal wedding!
