Mike Blanchfield
In this Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 file photo, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during official arrivals for a NATO leaders meeting at The Grove hotel and resort in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Francisco Seco February 19, 2021 - 10:52 AM
OTTAWA - The federal government has agreed to boost its funding for vaccine rollouts in lower-income countries, pledging $75 million more to the COVAX international vaccine-sharing program as other wealthy countries step up their commitments as well.
The announcement came as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hosted Justin Trudeau and their G7 counterparts for a virtual leaders summit aimed at bringing renewed momentum to COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
Read more about Joe Biden rolling out plan for $4 billion global Covid-19 vaccine effort on Business Standard. The USD 4 billion in U.S. funding was approved by Congress in December and will be distributed through 2022
Joe Biden to pledge $US4 billion for WHO s COVAX global vaccine effort
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FriFriday 19
Billions in US funding will be distributed over the next two years.
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The US government will pledge $US4 billion ($5.2 billion) to a vaccination program for developing countries at the G7 global economic summit later today, in the hope that other countries will follow suit and contribute additional funds, United States officials say.
Key points:
Donald Trump declined to participate in the COVAX initiative because of its ties to WHO
There are calls for the Biden administration to distribute US-manufactured vaccine supplies overseas
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Thursday for the US and European nations to allocate up to 5% of current vaccine supplies to developing countries, one day before Friday’s Group of Seven meeting of world leaders, expected to deal mainly with the global response to the coronavirus pandemic. “If we allow to take root the idea that hundreds of millions of vaccines are made in rich countries and that we don’t start in poor countries, that.
Biden will also encourage G-7 partners to make good on their pledges to COVAX, an initiative by the World Health Organization to improve access to vaccines.Former President Donald Trump declined to participate in the COVAX initiative because of its ties to WHO