By Grace Kuria
World Bank Group and GAVI have urged countries with excess coronavirus vaccines to release them as soon as possible.
In a meeting, World Bank Group President David Malpass and José Manuel Barroso, Chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance also discussed various challenges facing acquisition and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines by developing countries.
President Malpass also expressed his desire to work closely with Gavi on a 2022 strategy, including helping expand vaccine production capacity for developing countries.
The World Bank President also expressed appreciation for the partnership between the World Bank Group and Gavi on vaccine issues in developing countries, including in response to COVID-19.
He noted the World Bank’s actions to help countries assess and increase their vaccination capacity and to provide funding for vaccine purchases, which to date have committed $1.7 billion with around $4 billion expected to be approved by mid-year.
The World Bank President further reaffirmed that this financing may be used by countries to make co-payments to COVAX, as well as to purchase the necessary additional doses beyond the basic 20% population coverage.