Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Vaccines

Tuesday 24 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK is committed to rapid, equitable access to safe and effective vaccines through multilateral collaboration.
  • UK contributes up to 548 million for developing countries and 71 million for self-financing countries through COVAX advance market commitment.
  • UK funds Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations with 250 million to develop scalable vaccine candidates.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sara Britcliffe
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK is developing its own covid-19 vaccines while participating in global efforts through COVAX.

Question

What diplomatic steps the Government are taking to support the development of a covid-19 vaccine (a) in the UK and (b) throughout the world?

Answer from Wendy Morton

The UK is committed to rapid, equitable access to safe and effective vaccines through multilateral collaboration. We support the COVAX advance market commitment, contributing up to £548 million for developing countries and £71 million for self-financing countries.

Answered
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Q2 Angela Eagle Lab Wallasey
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK has committed funds to COVAX, but there are concerns about the adequacy of infrastructure support for mass roll-out in developing countries.

Question

In a pandemic we are only as strong as our weakest link. Is the Minister convinced that, even though we are one of the largest donors, we are doing enough to ensure that developing nations have the infrastructure they need to organise a mass roll-out of the vaccine?

Answer from Wendy Morton

A pandemic response requires global collaboration, including multilateral approaches and bilateral deals. The Minister welcomes AstraZeneca's commitment to non-profitable access during the pandemic, estimating up to 3 billion doses globally by 2021.

Partly answered

Not addressed: the adequacy of infrastructure support in developing nations

How: A Pandemic Response Is Absolutely What We Need To Tackle This Virus

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Q3 Sara Britcliffe
Foreign Affairs
Context

Following up on previous questions, the issue of specific steps taken by the UK government for vaccine provision to developing countries is raised.

Question

My question follows on from that asked by the hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle). What specific steps is my hon. Friend the Minister taking to ensure that the UK is at the forefront of providing vaccines to vulnerable countries around the world?

Answer from Wendy Morton

Our £250 million funding for Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations helps develop scalable vaccine candidates. Contributions of up to £548 million to COVAX AMC aim to supply 1 billion doses for 92 developing countries in 75 days by 2021. The World Bank has secured $12 billion financing support for access.

Answered
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