Britain is refusing to sign a global vaccine treaty that would force it to administer up to a fifth of the shots.

“Give the people of the world, the people of your countries, the people you represent, a more secure future,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told officials at a meeting in Geneva. “I have a simple request: please do this for them.”

The then former Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in May 2021 that the treaty was being established to improve warning systems, data sharing, research and the production and distribution of medical and public health countermeasures, such as vaccines, drugs, diagnostics and PPE.

He said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has been a stark and painful reminder that no one is safe until everyone is safe.

“Therefore, we are committed to ensuring universal and equitable access to safe, effective and affordable vaccines, medicines and diagnostics for this and future pandemics.”

This mantra is still repeated in the room today, sources say, but the willingness of wealthy nations to opt for the legally binding document has apparently waned.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson told The Telegraph: “We cannot comment on the details of specific proposals and no proposals have been agreed.

“We will only support the adoption of the agreement and accept it on behalf of the United Kingdom, if it is firmly in the national interest of the United Kingdom and respects national sovereignty.”