'Vaccines Cannot Be Politicized': Prince Harry Says Coming 'Together As Humans' Is How We're Going To Overcome The Ongoing Pandemic At VAX Live Event — Watch
May 9 2021, Published 10:07 a.m. ET
Prince Harry is making his voice heard! While backstage at Global Citizen's VAX Live: The Concert to Reunite the World, the red-headed royal declared that everyone must get a vaccine going forward.
"Over the last year, everyone has experienced so much loss and so much struggle and I think the only way that we are really going to heal and recover is to do that together," Harry, 36, said while backstage.
"When [Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans] asked us to be campaign chairs, of course, we jumped at the opportunity to say yes, to throw our support behind this because we believe in it," he continued. "But I think what we really need to be aware of and what we cannot allow to happen, is science being politicized."
"So many things have been politicized over the years but when we're talking about life and death — which is what we're talking about now — vaccines cannot be politicized," he shared. "Being able to come together as humans, as people, is how we're going to get ourselves out of this and we must ensure that everyone around the world has equal access to the vaccine, otherwise none of this works."
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle — who made a virtual appearance — spoke about her unborn daughter, who is due this summer, and how we must support women amid the pandemic.
"We've gathered tonight because the road ahead is getting brighter. But it's going to take every one of us to find our way forward. As campaign chairs of VAX Live, my husband and I believe it's critical that our recovery prioritizes the health, safety and success of everyone, particularly women who have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic," Meghan, 39, began.
"Women, and especially women of color, have seen a generation of economic gain wiped out. Since the pandemic began, nearly five-and-a-half million women have lost work in the U.S. And 47 million more women around the world are expected to slip into extreme poverty," she continued.
"My husband and I are thrilled to soon be welcoming a daughter. It's a feeling of joy we share with millions of other families around the world. When we think of her, we think of all the young women and girls around the globe who must be given the ability and the support to lead us forward," Meghan declared. "Their future leadership depends on the decisions we make and the actions we take now to set them up, and set all of us up, for a successful, equitable, compassionate tomorrow. We want to make sure that as we recover, we recover stronger. That as we rebuild, we rebuild together. Thank you."
