Getting closer to having the resources needed to fight COVID-19
The money will be received by a WHO program called ACT-Accelerator which coordinates vaccine development and distribution efforts. That includes COVAX, a ground-breaking global collaboration to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines.
France and the European Union’s executive commission each committed about $118 million for the WHO vaccine efforts. Spain pledged about $59 million while the Gates Foundation promised $70 million.
“COVID-19 anywhere is COVID-19 everywhere,” Melinda Gates said in a statement. “That is why we have to ensure that everyone gets equal access to tests, drugs, and vaccines when they are available — no matter where you live in the world.”
Today we are committing $70 million to global efforts to develop and distribute safe, affordable, and timely vaccines for low- and middle-income countries. pic.twitter.com/l2oswJ5W9h
— Gates Foundation (@gatesfoundation) November 12, 2020
Other European governments including Germany have already pledged similar funds. The new funds are on top of the financial assistance that countries previously contributed to COVAX.
