* World Bank threatens to pull its vaccination financing
* Rights campaigners say row will weaken public confidence
* Incident fuels concerns over vaccine access for vulnerable
By Timour Azhari
BEIRUT, Feb 23 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A row over Lebanese lawmakers jumping the queue for COVID-19 vaccinations erupted on Tuesday with the World Bank threatening to pull its funding for the inoculation drive and human rights campaigners accusing authorities of mismanagement.
The spat broke out after a correspondent from the Thomson Reuters Foundation tweeted confirmation from parliament’s secretary general that lawmakers aged over 75 would get their shots in the legislature in Beirut on Tuesday.
That led the World Bank’s middle east regional head, Saroj Kumar Jha, to respond: “This is not in line with the national plan agreed with @WorldBank and we would record it breach of terms and conditions agreed with us for fair and equitable vaccination.”
COVID-19 vaccines: Who’s jumping the line – and how to stop it
He added that the lender “may suspend financing for vaccines and support for COVID19 response across Lebanon!!” if the violation was confirmed.
Last month, the bank agreed to provide Lebanon with a $34 million loan to fund vaccinations for roughly a third of the country’s six million people, amid a surge in new COVID-19 cases that it said was exacerbating a deep economic crisis.
