European Commission pledges 300 mln Euro to Vaccine Alliance

BRUSSELS, June 4 (KUNA) -- The European Commission is to pledge 300 million euro (USD 336 million) to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for the period 2021-2025.
The announcement will be made later Thursday by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at the virtual Global Vaccine Summit organized by Gavi.
It will help immunize 300 million children around the world and finance vaccine stockpiles to shield against outbreaks of infectious diseases, noted an European Commission press release.
Von der Leyen commented, "vaccines can only save lives if everyone who needs them can access them, especially in the most vulnerable communities and regions of the world." "This is why Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's work is so important. It gives developing countries the means to build stronger health systems and immunization programs, to make the world a safer place," she said. (end) nk.mb