Developing countries must have 'equal access' to future Covid-19 vaccines, Indonesia's foreign minister warned, as wealthy nations scoop up billions of doses.

Retno Marsudi said it was crucial for rich and poor nations to work together so "we can guarantee equal access to a safe and affordable vaccine".

"Can you imagine…if most vaccines go to developed countries?" Marsudi told AFP in a video interview from London.

"What will be the fate of the developing countries?"

Marsudi's comments follow an Oxfam report last month that found a group of wealthy nations representing just 13 percent of the global population have already bought up more than half of the promised doses of future Covid-19 vaccines.

Marsudi met with UK-based pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca on Wednesday to cement a vaccine-dose deal for Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation with nearly 270 million people, which has struggled to contain soaring infection rates.

The agreement is expected to see the first delivery of some 100 million doses early next year, she said.

"(The rest) will be sent in stages," Marsudi said after the meeting.

Marsudi is also slated to go to Switzerland as part of her country's bid to secure agreements for vaccine doses.

In August, Indonesia kicked off human trials of a vaccine candidate produced by China's Sinovac Biotech with some 1,600 volunteers taking part in the six-month study.

Indonesia, one of the hardest hit countries in Asia, has reported more than 340,000 cases of coronavirus and over 12,000 deaths. But, with some of the world's lowest testing rates, the true scale of its public health crisis is believed to be much greater.

Covid-19 claims over 10,000 lives in Iraq
Baghdad (AFP) Oct 14, 2020 –

Iraq's health ministry said Wednesday that more than 10,000 people have died from Covid-19 in the country whose threadbare health sector has been battered by the virus.

Iraq has registered more than 413,000 cases, and the total death toll now stands at 10,021, the ministry said.

Neighbouring Iran has recorded around three times as many fatalities, the highest toll in the region.

Baghdad recently lifted restrictions and reopened mosques, shops and cafes but has kept its borders closed to non-residents.

It has also urged citizens not to attend large gatherings.

However over 14.5 million people flocked to Arabeen, the religious commemoration for Shiite Muslims which ended last week, according to religious authorities, with few wearing masks or observing social distancing.

Iraq's health system, worn down by years of war, insurgency and under-investment, has crumbled under the strain of rising infections, and medical staff have complained of a lack of personal protective equipment.