Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

UK Participation in International Vaccines Procurement Initiative (COVAX)

14 October 2020 · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Proposed by Alok Sharma Con Reading West

Foreign AffairsNHSTaxation

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

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At a glance

Key points

  • The UK has joined the COVAX initiative to speed up vaccine development and fair distribution.
  • The UK has contributed 71 million to the COVAX Self-Financing Facility for an option to buy vaccines for up to 20% of its population.
  • The UK will allocate 500 million in ODA funding for vaccine procurement and delivery in low-income countries.

Issue summary

The UK has joined the global COVAX initiative to expedite vaccine discovery, manufacture, and fair distribution.

Action requested

The UK has contributed £71 million to the Self-Financing Facility of COVAX for an option to buy vaccines for up to 20% of its population. Additionally, the Prime Minister announced at the UNGA that the UK will allocate £500 million in ODA funding for vaccine procurement and delivery in low-income countries, including a match commitment.

Key facts

  • The UK has joined COVAX, contributing £71 million to the Self-Financing Facility.
  • This contribution secures an option to buy vaccines for up to 20% of the UK population (13.5 million people).
  • The UK will allocate £500 million in ODA funding to support vaccine procurement and delivery in low and lower middle-income countries, matching £1 for every $4 committed by others.
  • The World Bank has proposed an ambitious $12 billion plan for vaccine financing, making up to $6 billion available to middle-income countries and $6 billion to low and lower-middle income countries.
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