Covid-19 Vaccines Global Distribution 2021-07-20

2021-07-20

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The question is about the UK's role in supporting global vaccine deployment.
What diplomatic steps are being taken to support the distribution of covid-19 vaccines throughout the world?
Through our investment in the development of the AstraZeneca vaccine, our finance for COVAX and our commitment of 100 million vaccine doses from surplus domestic supply, the UK is a global leader in our support for vaccinating the poorest around the world.
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Q2 Direct Answer
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The question discusses the crises in Lebanon, including the port explosion and economic instability.
Can you assure me that your Department is doing everything it can to support the people of Lebanon with their vaccine deployment?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. He will recall that, last year, as that terrible disaster took place, we committed $2 million in extra support for medical equipment. In relation to vaccines, in March, Lebanon received its first doses from COVAX: 33,600 AZ vaccines. The UK, through our £90 million commitment, got the AstraZeneca vaccine at cost price to the world, and the vast majority of COVAX doses—some 98%—that will have reached Lebanon have been the AZ vaccine.
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Q3 Direct Answer
John Lamont Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
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The question concerns the strategic allocation of surplus vaccine doses.
In which parts of the world does the Foreign Secretary envisage using our surplus to best effect?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. At the G7, by making it clear that we would donate 100 million doses from surplus domestic supply by the end of June 2022, we also leveraged 1 billion doses from other countries. We are committing 80% to COVAX, which will be distributed according to its criteria, and a further 20% on a strategic basis.
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Q4 Direct Answer
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The question acknowledges the contribution of employees at Wockhardt to vaccine production.
Will my right hon. Friend join me in praising the employees of Wockhardt for their indispensable role in our vaccine manufacturing process?
My hon. Friend can be rightly very proud of the role his constituents have played. It is not only Wockhardt employees, but the wider AstraZeneca collaboration with Government and the £90 million of support that the Government put in for research and development and for getting capacity up that have meant that we not only have this world-beating domestic vaccine roll-out, but have supplied 98% of the vaccine to the poorest and most vulnerable countries around the world delivered by COVAX.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Preet Kaur Gill Lab Co-op
Birmingham Edgbaston
Context
The question addresses the criticism regarding the reduction in UK's aid budget and its impact on global vaccination efforts.
Less than 1% of sub-Saharan Africa has been fully vaccinated. How many lives have and will be lost as a result of these cuts?
What I would say to the hon. Lady is that Labour promised it would hit 0.7% in 1974. That was the year in which I was born. Labour has never once hit 0.7%. It only twice hit 0.5%, so we will take no lectures from the Labour party when we are the third biggest G7 donor when it comes to aid.
Assessment & feedback
Impact of UK's aid budget cuts on global vaccine distribution
Taking Lectures Labour'S Record
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