Philanthropy Leaders Warn of Decades-Long Impact Without Global Investment in Vaccine Distribution

Strategic Insights -

Global progress on education, public health, and gender equality is at risk of being set back for years if governments and philanthropies do not invest more in vaccine distribution to poor nations, warn leaders from the Gates and Rockefeller Foundations. The call comes as President Biden plans to call for a "COVID Summit" to coincide with the U.N. General Assembly meeting. The pandemic has disproportionately affected poor countries, with over 80% of COVID vaccines administered to people in wealthy countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pandemic has reversed progress made in recent years on development goals set by the United Nations, including poverty, access to clean water, and gender equality.
  • The Gates Foundation found that over 80% of COVID vaccines have been administered to people in wealthy countries, while the entire continent of Africa, with a population about 300 times that of California, has roughly the same vaccination rate.
  • Childhood immunizations have dropped by 7% globally, representing 10 million children who have fallen behind immunization schedules.
  • Men's employment is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, but 13 million fewer women will have jobs than in 2019, according to the Gates Foundation's report.
  • The Gates Foundation has committed $1.8 billion to global health efforts to curb the spread of COVID, but has faced criticism for defending pharmaceutical companies' intellectual property rights, which has hindered the development of low-cost generic vaccines.
  • The Rockefeller Foundation's president, Rajiv Shah, has called for a "COVID Charter," which would require rich countries to devote 1% of their GDP to international development and climate assistance, and for middle-and low-income nations to devote more money to public health and climate-change mitigation.
  • The Gates Foundation is urging other foundations and governments to make long-term investments in healthcare research and logistics to ensure easier vaccine distribution.
  • A senior health researcher at Human Rights Watch criticized the focus on local manufacturing and distribution capabilities, saying it ignores the power dynamics causing harm and the intellectual property issues that hinder vaccine access.

Statistics:

  • Over 80% of COVID vaccines have been administered to people in wealthy countries.
  • The Gates Foundation has committed $1.8 billion to global health efforts to curb the spread of COVID.
  • Childhood immunizations have dropped by 7% globally, representing 10 million children who have fallen behind immunization schedules.
  • Men's employment is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, but 13 million fewer women will have jobs than in 2019.
  • The Rockefeller Foundation has committed $1 billion over three years to respond to COVID and prevent future outbreaks.
  • The Gates Foundation has nearly $50 billion in assets.

Sources:

  • AP news wire
  • The Chronicle of Philanthropy
  • Bill Gates, Gates Foundation
  • Mark Suzman, Gates Foundation CEO
  • Rajiv Shah, Rockefeller Foundation president
  • Kyle Knight, senior health researcher at Human Rights Watch