This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
UK to donate 100 million coronavirus vaccine doses
The Prime Minister has announced that the UK will donate 100 million surplus coronavirus vaccine doses to the world within the next year.
As part of a G7 pledge, world leaders are expected to announce they will provide at least one billion coronavirus vaccine doses to the world through dose sharing and financing and set out a plan to expand vaccine manufacturing in order to achieve that goal.
The UK will donate five million doses by the end of September, beginning in the coming weeks, primarily for use in the world’s poorest countries. Now, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also committed to donating a further 95 million doses within the next year, including 25 million more by the end of 2021. It is reported that 80 per cent of the 100 million doses will go to COVAX and the remainder will be shared bilaterally with countries in need.
Vaccinating more people around the world will not only help bring an end to the global coronavirus pandemic, but will also reduce the risk to people in the UK. This includes significantly reducing the threat posed by vaccine-resistant variants emerging in areas with large-scale outbreaks.
Johnson said: “Since the start of this pandemic the UK has led the way in efforts to protect humanity against this deadly disease. Over a year ago we funded the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on the basis it would be distributed at cost to the world. This unprecedented model, which puts people squarely above profit, means over half a billion doses have been administered in 160 countries so far.
“As a result of the success of the UK’s vaccine programme we are now in a position to share some of our surplus doses with those who need them. In doing so we will take a massive step towards beating this pandemic for good. At the G7 Summit I hope my fellow leaders will make similar pledges so that, together, we can vaccinate the world by the end of next year and build back better from coronavirus.”
The cost of donating the UK’s surpluses will be classified as ODA. This will be in addition to the £10 billion already committed in aid this year.
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