The UK should now donate vaccines to developing countries, not wait until it has a surplus, the World Trade Organization new head, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, told the BBC.

According to her, access of all states to vaccines is in the interests of rich countries.

Her comments came following the UK PM Boris Johnson's statement that the UK will donate most of its surplus vaccines to developing countries.

As an argument, she cited a study by the International Chamber of Commerce that outlined the economic case for global vaccinations.

A study commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce found that global GDP could shrink by as much as $ 9,000 if wealthy countries vaccinate half of their populations by mid-year and developing countries fail to vaccinate their populations.