Wellington, 7 December 2021 (TDI): New Zealand will provide additional funding to COVAX to ensure supply to developing countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said earlier this month.
The funding for vaccine supply will also support low-income countries in their drive to tackle the spread of the Pandemic.
Equitable access to vaccines is essential to ending the global 🌏 #COVID19 pandemic. Aotearoa NZ 🇳🇿 is contributing an additional $9m to #COVAX so more people in developing countries can protect themselves & their families. #manaakitanga https://t.co/VVjRiFoX2U
— Nanaia Mahuta (@NanaiaMahuta) December 1, 2021
The Minister considered the necessity of the support as a new variant of the Coronavirus emerges in African states. She said that no one will be safe from these hard periods until we support the developing countries with such a vaccine supply.
In that sense, Aotearoa will add through additional $9 million to the COVAX Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) to assure vaccine availability in developing countries.
During the announcement, the Foreign Minister also affirmed New Zealand’s commitment to equity of access to vaccinations for all nations. Such contributions will guarantee their view that developing nations should not stay behind in fighting against the virus.
Earlier, New Zealand became the first country to donate funds and vaccines to COVAX. The Pacific country is a strong supporter of widespread vaccination around the world. New Zealand’s funding will bring the total COVAX AMC contribution to $26 million.
COVAX Facility
COVAX is working with manufacturers and governments. Such facility provides equity of access of vaccine supply to all countries including both the low income and high-income countries.
The global initiative is co-led by CEPI, Gavi, and WHO. It is also functioning in a coalition with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers. UNICEF and the World Bank are also in collaboration with COVAX.
