World Bank

World Bank wants $12 billion for virus vaccine in poor nations

Agence France-Presse

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World Bank wants $12 billion for virus vaccine in poor nations

(FILES) In this file photo, 3 potential coronavirus vaccines are kept in a tray at Novavax labs in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on March 20, 2020. - US biotech firm Novavax said Ton September 24, 2020 it was initiating its final Phase 3 clinical trial for its experimental Covid-19 vaccine. The trial will be carried out in the United Kingdom and aims to enroll 10,000 volunteers, aged 18-84, with and without underlying conditions, over the next four to six weeks. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

AFP

The money, if approved, would be aimed at low- and middle-income countries

The World Bank on Tuesday, September 29, said it has asked its board of directors to approve $12 billion to help poor countries purchase and distribute eventual vaccines against COVID-19.

The bank has already implemented emergency response programs in 111 countries and the extra money, if approved, would be aimed at low- and middle-income countries.

“An effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine is the most promising path forward for the world to reopen safely,” a World Bank spokesman said.

“The global economy will not recover fully until people feel they can live, socialize, work, and travel with confidence.”

The funds would be dispursed over 12 to 18 months.

COVID-19 vaccines aren’t commercially available yet, but World Bank President David Malpass told French newspaper Le Figaro “the process of distributing a vaccine is complex” and it was important to anticipate the needs associated with it.

“We want the poorest countries to have access to it (a vaccine), and in these countries, we want the most vulnerable people and medical personnel to be vaccinated,” he said.

Malpass said the Washington-based development lender has experience with immunization programs like those directed at polio and measles, as well as in managing crises like the Ebola outbreaks.

The World Bank has rolled out a record $45 billion in financial support between April and June as the global economy contracted amid the COVID-19 pandemic. – Rappler.com

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