The World Bank's Board of Directors on Tuesday approved a $ 12 billion aid plan to guarantee developing countries rapid access to vaccines when they become available, AFP learned on Tuesday from the institution.
This envelope will be used to "
finance the purchase and distribution of vaccines, tests and Covid-19 treatments for their citizens,
" said the institution in a
press
release.
This funding could make it possible to vaccinate "
up to a billion people
", she added.
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The World Bank intends to send "
the signal to the research and pharmaceutical industry that citizens of
developing countries must also have access to safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines
".
It will also provide technical support to prepare countries for large-scale vaccine deployment, in coordination with international partners.
This funding is part of a World Bank Group aid package of up to $ 160 billion until June 2021 to help developing countries fight the Covid-19 pandemic, also clarified. Washington institution.
“
Access to safe and effective vaccines and strengthened distribution systems is essential to alter the course of the pandemic and help countries facing catastrophic economic and fiscal impacts move towards resilient recovery
,” said David Malpass , the president of the World Bank quoted in the press release.
This approval was expected since he himself unveiled this project at the end of September.
He then believed that an “
effective and safe
”
Covid-19 vaccine
was fundamental for the world to reopen safely.
Read also: The American David Malpass takes the head of the World Bank
While the vaccines are not yet marketed, he also noted in an interview with the French daily Le Figaro, the need to anticipate "
because the process of distributing a vaccine is complex
".
He pointed out the “
solid
”
experience
of the World Bank in terms of vaccination programs, with polio, measles or even in crisis management such as Ebola.