Campaigners and trades unions today appealed to the UK to back a drive to make coronavirus vaccine available to developing countries.

A statement from the Bermuda Trade Union Congress, Social Justice Bermuda and Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda – also signed by scores of individuals – said that a temporary waiver on international property rights would allow the vaccine to be produced anywhere and make it more accessible to poorer countries.

The initiative was organised by Indian and South African representatives to the World Trade Organisation.

But, although it has been backed by more than 100 countries, including the US, the UK has yet to sign up to the deal.

The statement said: ““As citizens of the British Overseas Territories, we, the undersigned, urgently call for the UK to join this initiative, promoting sustainable public health outcomes and championing the most fundamental of rights – that of the right to life.

“The United Kingdom has an opportunity for a significant pivot in its relations with some two billion people who reside in countries that made up the British Empire of previous centuries.

“Of course, there is no changing the narrative of the past, nor any of the externalities that pertain.

“However, supporting the temporary waiver at the WTO in order to open up access for the Covid vaccines will substantially address the wellbeing of their lives, today and into the future.”

The statement said: “The European Union has demonstrated a measure of support, but two countries have – surprisingly – not come to the plate to date.

“They are the United Kingdom and Germany.”

The statement added: “It is in the interests of all who share the planet to facilitate having the Covid-19 vaccines accessible to everyone who wishes to take it, as quickly as possible.

“However, given the nature of the current economic system with its priority for profits, the right to life is commodified, so that, while vaccination rates for at least one shot in developed countries such as those in North America and Europe are already more than 68 per cent- with spare available capacity – those rates in less developed countries, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa, remain below five per cent.

“Given the current circumstances, the projections are that it would take at least two more years to make the vaccine accessible to everyone globally.”

The statement said: “Promoting vaccine access – ending vaccine apartheid – constitutes both a moral imperative and serves the interest of the whole of humanity in that it drastically reduces the potential for the spread of the variant strains of SARS-COV-2.

“This proactive initiative has gained traction, with more than 100 countries supporting it.”