Canada to donate up to 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to countries in need: sources
Posted June 11, 2021 7:25 am.
Last Updated June 11, 2021 8:13 am.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Canada will join other G7 nations in donating vaccines to lower-income countries, with a source confirming up to 100 million doses.
This won’t impact domestic supply and the number includes donations already made to COVAX, a global vaccine sharing alliance.
Like others, I have confirmed through a source that Canada will be donating up to 100-million vaccine doses to other nations.
Won't impact domestic supply & number includes donations already made to COVAX.
Will be equal to contribution level from other G7 countries #cdnpoli— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) June 11, 2021
There’s no timeline yet for the other doses to be donated. However, the source confirms they will come from either additional purchases or from excess doses.
Canada’s contribution will be equal to that of the U.K. and E.U., but less than the U.S.
British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says vaccination donations need to be ramped up to bring the pandemic to an end.
“If we went on the current trajectory, the world would be vaccinated by the end of 2024. What we are doing is joining up with the U.S. and the other G7 members leading by example,” Raab said.
The G7 as a whole is looking to donate 1 billion, and President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that the U.S. was promising to donate 500 million doses.
“We’re going to help lead the world out of this pandemic, working alongside our global partners,” he said.
Pressure has been mounting on Canada to donate doses to the global vaccine initiative. In early June, the government doubled its financial commitment to $440 million to help COVAX buy vaccines directly from manufacturers.
