US happy with Covid vaccine contributions
The United States (US) Ambassador to Malawi Robert Scott has said his country has contributed more funds to Covid vaccine development initiatives than any other country because it wants to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on countries such as Malawi.
US Ambassador to Malawi Robert Scott said his government is happy that Malawians will benefit from the $2 billion his government recently pledged to contribute to the Covid Vaccines Global Access (Covax) Facility.
“The United States continues to stand with Malawi in our common fight against Covid, as witnessed through our ongoing testing and clinical care support. We are proud that our $2 Billion contribution to Covax will assist millions of persons around the world to receive vaccines, including here in Malawi,” he said.
In a statement, the US Embassy in Malawi says the American government would play a key role in vaccine administration efforts.
“The United States will also take a leadership role in galvanising further global contributions to Covax by releasing an additional $2 billion through 2021 and 2022, of which the first $500 million will be made available when existing donor pledges are fulfilled, and initial doses are delivered to Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) countries. In close cooperation with Gavi, this additional $2 billion in funding will serve AMC countries.
“In close cooperation with Gavi, this additional $2 billion in funding will serve to expand Covax’s reach. We also call on our G7 and other partners to work alongside Gavi, to bring in billions more in resources to support global Covid vaccination, and to target urgent vaccine manufacturing, supply and delivery needs,” the statement reads.
The $2 billion contribution will make the US the biggest donor to the Covax facility so far, as other donors have made a combined contribution of $2.4 billion.
Under the Covax Facility initiative, Malawi is set to receive 1.5 million doses of vaccines in coming weeks. The Covax Facility supports access to safe and effective vaccines for 92 low-and-middle income countries.
Meanwhile, the US government has donated 200,000 personal protective equipment items consisting of N95 and surgical masks, examination gloves and isolation gowns to help keep healthcare workers safe as they attend to Covid patients.
