Boris Johnson has promised to donate most of the UK’s excess vaccines to poor countries in his speech at the virtual G7 meeting on Friday.
He urged rich countries to support the 100-day goal of developing new vaccines for emerging diseases in the future.
The UK has ordered more than 400 million doses of various vaccines. So many of which will remain after all adults have been vaccinated.
But anti-poverty activists say Britain is not doing enough.
Decisions on when and how much of the surplus will be distributed will be made later this year, with ministers considering the supply chain and whether or not a refresh is needed in the fall.
The prime minister told his colleagues: “Science is finally overwhelming Covid. Around the world, we need to make sure everyone gets the vaccine they need. So that the rest of the world can get through this pandemic together.”
“There is no point in vaccinating our individual populations. We have to make sure the whole world is vaccinated because this is a global pandemic. And there is no point in one country being so far ahead of the other. We have to move forward together”.
“He said he wanted to make sure we get vaccines around the world at the same price make sure everyone gets the vaccines they need so the rest of the world can get through this pandemic together”.
Following the meeting, G7 leaders issued a statement pledging to “strengthen cooperation in the health response to Covid-19”.
He reiterated the group’s support for “affordable and equitable access to vaccines, therapies, and diagnostics, reflecting the role of large-scale immunization as a global public good”.
Read more: Another new coronavirus variant in the UK
French President Emmanuel Macron told the Financial Times. That rich countries must deliver up to 4 to 5 percent of their current supply vaccines to poor countries.
“But Secretary of State James Cleverley said Britain will see much higher numbers”.
He promised that the government would become a “global force for good” in fighting the pandemic and that unlike “some countries”. Britain would not use promises of vaccine supplies to other countries as a “short-term diplomatic lever”.
However, at this point, it’s hard to say when the split will take place, added Cleverly.
Over ordering of coronavirus vaccines
According to government sources, more than half of the overdose will go to Covax. A UN initiative designed to provide greater access to vaccines.
The UK government has contributed £ 548 million to the program, pledged US $ 4 billion (£ 2.9 billion) in December.
Nearly 17 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Of which 573,724 have received two doses, according to the latest figures.
Analysis
By Naomi Grimley, global health correspondent
In the global dispute over vaccine supplies for Covid-19, many wealthy countries – which have funded most of the research. And able to buy more supplies than they need.
New data from the Anti-Poverty Group, One Campaign, shows Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, the United States, and the EU have provided more than 3 billion doses. And 1.2 billion more than they need to cover a total Population of two to deliver a dose.
Britain is donating £ 548 million to Covax in a United Nations effort to get vaccines in poor countries.
However, campaigners say they want real facts about how many real doses the UK will now contribute to the mechanism.
About 130 countries around the world have not been vaccinated at all. And health care workers in these countries remain at high risk.
And even if the Covax plan works, it is said to cover only 20% of any country’s population – far less than the herd immunity expected in richer countries.
Mr. Johnson is using his position as chair of the G7’s key economic group. Meet the 100-day target for vaccine development as new diseases emerge.
He also told the group that it is important to “build better” than the pandemic and face the “big challenges” of climate change. And told, “executives he wanted some great things in the G7 and 26 upcoming police climate meetings in November in Glasgow”.
This virtual meeting on Friday will be the first meeting of G7 leaders since April 2020 and the first international meeting of new US President Joe Biden.
