Britain to Donate Millions of Surplus Vaccine Doses to Poorer Countries

Britain's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will announce today that the UK will donate millions of surplus vaccine doses to poorer countries. This pledge is set to benefit developing nations before the end of the year, pending the completion of the UK's vaccination programme. As Britain takes over the G7 presidency, Johnson will also urge other world leaders to support an ambitious target to develop new vaccines in 100 days. The proposal will be discussed at a virtual G7 meeting today.

Key Takeaways:

• The UK will donate up to 75% of its surplus vaccine supplies to developing nations under the international Covax initiative.
• Britain has ordered over 400 million vaccine doses from seven different companies, including 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine.
• The UK hopes to have offered a vaccine to its entire adult population by autumn, which could result in a significant surplus.
• The Covax group has already agreed deals for 1.1 billion doses, and the UK is urging other G7 nations to increase funding for Covax.
• Britain's Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, will work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi) to develop and approve new vaccines and treatments within 100 days.

Statistics:

• The UK has ordered over 400 million vaccine doses.
• Britain hopes to have offered a vaccine to its entire adult population by autumn.
• The Covax group has already agreed deals for 1.1 billion doses.
• The UK plans to share up to 75% of its surplus vaccine supplies with developing nations under the Covax initiative.
• The UK is urging other G7 nations to increase funding for Covax.

Sources:

• "Britain is to donate millions of surplus vaccine doses to poorer countries" by Claire Ellicott (DailyMail.co.uk)
• Covax group (Covax website)
• Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi website)
• World Health Organisation (WHO website)