COVID-19 vaccine must reflect global solidarity and leave no one behind

Today the UK hosted the Global Vaccine Summit, bringing together leaders from governments, foundations, the private sector and civil society.

The summit surpassed the $7.4 target and raised $8.8bn to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to immunise a further 300 million children against diseases such as polio, diphtheria and measles, and save up to 8 million lives in the world’s poorest countries by 2025

Simon Starling, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Research said:

“Today’s summit demonstrates how many lives can be saved when world leaders demonstrate global solidarity by investing in health systems and provide life-saving immunisations against diseases, in partnership with developing countries.

COVID-19 is a global crisis that demands a global response. The UK and governments around the world must continue to work together in developing a COVID-19 vaccine for all who need it, ensuring we leave no one behind. This means making sure any vaccine remains patent-free, and therefore affordable for all countries.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

1. Global Vaccine Summit: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/global-vaccine-summit-2020
2. Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
3. For further information please contact Maryam Mohsin on 07555 336029 or [email protected]