WASHINGTON, June 2 — More than 50 countries will get approval to vaccinate against the novel coronavirus by the end of June, Sputnik reported World Bank president David Malpass telling reporters on Tuesday.
“By the end of June, we will have approved vaccination operations in over 50 countries,” Malpass said during a press conference.
These countries can immediately use vaccines from the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Covax) facility as well as from manufacturers and donor states, he added.
Malpass noted that the World Bank currently has US$12 billion (RM49.5 billion) in vaccine financing and will be ready to increase the level of funding if necessary. He also urged countries to speed up the vaccine supply chain and shorten the time from manufacturing to final delivery to people.
Earlier in the day, the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organisation and the World Trade Organisation leaders said in a joint statement that the international community should invest US$50 billion (RM206 billion) to accelerate the end of the coronavirus pandemic.
— Bernama