UNITED Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Boris Johnson will tomorrow host the Global Vaccine Summit, bringing together leaders from around the world at a virtual event to pledge their support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
A statement issued by Press & Public Affairs Officer, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, Ndidiamaka Eze, said the event is aimed at protecting a further 300 million children against infectious diseases like measles, typhoid and polio.
The Global Vaccine Summit aims to raise US$7.4 billion to help Gavi save up to eight million lives.
The statement reads: “As host, the UK is continuing its global leadership on tackling preventable deaths and stopping the spread of coronavirus.
“This builds on our recent role as co-lead for the Global Coronavirus Response Initiative, with Japan, Germany, France, Canada, Norway, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the European Commission, which successfully raised 7.4 billion euros toward vaccines, tests and treatment to tackle the virus at the Coronavirus Global Response International Pledging Conference on May 4.
“At that conference, the UK pledged £388 million, which is made up of support we have announced for new vaccines, tests and treatments. This includes:
- £250 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations to research a coronavirus vaccine – the biggest contribution of any country to this fund; and
- £40 million to support the Global Therapeutics Accelerator, a fund for the rapid development of coronavirus treatments.”
*£23 million to support the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics to develop rapid tests for the virus to help identify and slow its spread; and
*£75 million for the World Health Organisation to help them support countries who have weak healthcare systems.”
The UK, the added, is collaborating with our international partners on the global effort to find a vaccine as soon as possible and ensure it’s available across the world, including in Nigeria.
“We are working closely with industry and the Bio-industry Association to accelerate vaccine development and manufacturing in the UK, so that when a vaccine is available, it can be made quickly at scale. We are now calling on other governments to step up, follow our lead and make commitments to fund fully Gavi’s vital mission for the next five years,” it said.
Speaking on the upcoming summit, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said: “Producing a vaccine for Covid-19 is a priority for the UK government as this will help save lives in Nigeria and globally from the deadly virus. Gavi is already working hard with partners to ensure any future vaccine that is safe and effective is delivered at scale around the world.
“We welcome Gavi’s partnership with Nigeria over the years, which has helped to fight diseases such as yellow fever, meningitis and measles by improving immunisation rates and strengthening the health systems across the country.”
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