Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) — President Rodrigo Duterte has nudged the global vaccine-sharing alliance to take action against the “glaring” imbalance in COVID-19 vaccine distribution.
He made this call Wednesday before the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment One World Protected Summit, reiterating that more than 80% of global supply is going to developed countries.
“This imbalance must be corrected or there will be no real and inclusive global recovery to speak of,” he told the summit, according to a statement released by his office.
The President also formalized the Philippines’ plan to contribute $1 million (roughly P47 million) to COVAX, the global initiative co-led by the World Health Organization, the vaccine alliance Gavi, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to distribute coronavirus vaccines to lower-income economies.
“It is our moral responsibility to help each other and face this crisis with greater solidarity and urgency,” Duterte added.
The Philippines has so far received over two million doses of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines through COVAX.
The virtual summit hosted by Japan and Gavi has raised nearly $2.4 billion from pledges of countries and private donors.
