UNB, Dhaka
A two-month investment opportunity has been launched to accelerate the delivery of Covid-19 vaccines to 92 low- and middle-income economies through the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC).
The United States government has already contributed an initial $2 billion to Gavi in support of COVAX -- the largest single country contribution -- and will contribute an additional $2 billion through 2022, according to the US Department of State.
The US and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, on Thursday applauded new partner commitments to accelerate global access to Covid-19 vaccines, including more than $300 million in financial contributions as well as in-kind donations, including millions of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine doses to be shared by COVAX.
At an event hosted by the US and Gavi, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken and USAID Acting Administrator Gloria Steele applauded other countries that have made and delivered pledges and urged all partners to do more to end the pandemic.
The US recognises that as long as Covid-19 is spreading and generating new variants anywhere, it poses a threat to people everywhere.
Secretary Blinken expressed that "in addition to our planned contributions to Gavi totaling $4 billion, the US is prepared to provide further assistance to support the global Covid response".
He called on partners to work alongside Gavi to support urgent vaccine manufacturing, supply, and delivery needs.
At the “One World Protected” virtual event, presentations took stock of progress to date to ensure equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines, made the investment case for contributions to COVAX, and encouraged countries and the private sector to make new commitments.
COVAX is an initiative co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), with an aim to equitably deliver safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines on a global scale.