FILE PHOTO: A pack of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines is seen as the country receives its first batch of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines under the COVAX scheme, at the international airport of Accra, Ghana, on February 24, 2021. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
MANILA, Philippines — The “imbalance” in COVID-19 vaccine distribution worldwide must be corrected to attain inclusive recovery, President Rodrigo Duterte said during the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) One World Protected Summit held Wednesday.
According to a Palace statement, the President cited that 80 percent of the global supply of vaccines goes to developed countries.
“This imbalance must be corrected – or there will be no real and inclusive global recovery to speak of,” Duterte was quoted to have said during the meeting.
Also during the summit, Duterte pledged $1 million as Philippine contribution to the global vaccine-sharing pool, COVAX facility.
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“It is our moral responsibility to help each other and face this crisis with greater solidarity and urgency. While modest, our contribution demonstrates our firm commitment to this global fight against COVID-19,” he said.
The President also thanked the Gavi alliance and encouraged more countries to contribute to the vaccine initiative.
The Gavi COVAX AMC summit was co-hosted by Japan Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Gavi Chair of the Board Jose Manuel Barroso. The event aims to fill the gap in providing COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income or poor countries.
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