Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Wednesday pledged an additional USD 800 million to COVAX facility aiming for a fair distribution of coronavirus vaccines worldwide.
The announcement came at an online vaccine summit which Japan co-hosted with the GAVI vaccine alliance, an international group that promotes vaccinations in developing nations, reported NHK World.
Participants included US Vice President Kamala Harris, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, and others.
Suga told them that a vaccine divide based on wealth and other circumstances of various nations cannot be tolerated. Japan has already contributed 200 million dollars to the cause.
Suga explained that more than 76 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been supplied to over 120 countries and regions through the COVAX facility, reported NHK World.
He said more solidarity and commitment will be needed to overcome the global crisis. He said that Japan will fully support the safe, fair and effective distribution of vaccines to as many people as possible.
He asked participants to work towards realizing the goal of securing 1.8 billion vaccine doses -- enough to vaccinate 30 per cent of populations in developing countries and territories before the end of the year, NHK World reported.
Suga added that Japan also plans to supply 30 million vaccine doses manufactured in the country, taking into account the spread of coronavirus variants and the delay in vaccine shipments.
He said this will happen when all conditions are met, and at an appropriate time, reported NHK World.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dear Reader,
Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.
We, however, have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
Digital Editor
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU