Melinda Gates asked Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to ‘speak up’ in support of the global Covid-19 vaccine

Melinda Gates, co-chair of one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations, personally appealed to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to “speak up” in support of a collective approach to the Covid-19 vaccine.

The documents, published under the Official Information Law (OIA), show that the couple met by teleconference on June 17; the meeting was requested by Gates herself.

It came a month after the government spent about $ 40 million to find a Covid-19 vaccine.

The focus of the meeting was directly Covid-19, an upcoming vaccine, and how the pandemic was affecting women, particularly in the Pacific.

“Gates said the United States and the world saw the response from New Zealand and Prime Minister Ardern’s leadership as an example,” according to official meeting records.

Ardern noted that it was going to be “a long journey” to return to a pre-Covid-19 world.

“The key message from Gates was that this problem is difficult; we need him to speak out in support of a collective approach to vaccines,” the records show.

“PM Ardern said he would be happy to help.”

In late May, a month before the meeting, the government promised $ 37 million to find a Covid-19 vaccine.

About $ 15 million of that went to international research collaboration, including those managed by the Coalition for Innovations in Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI), which funds independent vaccine development.

Another $ 10 million went to national research and $ 7 million went to the vaccine alliance, Gavi, which distributes vaccines to developing countries.

During the meeting with Ardern, Gates highlighted this contribution and said it was an “important sign of leadership.”

Records from the meeting show that when the conversation turned to how long the vaccine would take to make, Ardern seemed skeptical about Gates’ 12 to 18-month vaccination timeline.

“Prime Minister Ardern asked if a 12-18 month time frame for a vaccine was optimistic.”
Gates told Ardern that it was and that the leading vaccine would be in the third phase of its development later this year.

“If they went into ‘super-fast’ manufacturing, maybe in the first quarter of next year there might be some vaccines available.”

Talking points from the meeting, also posted within the framework of the OIA, show that Ardern planned to push for the “equitable distribution” of a future Covid-19 vaccine.

Their talking points also show that Ardern was eager to raise the issue of the Pacific Island countries and the access they will have to a vaccine.

“Pacific women are affected disproportionately and differently by the Covid-19 pandemic,” records show, Ardern said.

She added that the Pacific countries are reporting increases in the rates of violence against women and girls, reducing access to sexual and reproductive health care and unequal damage to the lives of women and girls.

Melinda Gates, along with her husband, Bill Gates, are co-chairs of the Gates Foundation, which has provided more than $ 50 billion in grants since its formation in 2000.

The foundation has been a driving force behind the creation of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The conference call was not the first time that Gates and Ardern met.

The Prime Minister met with Melinda and her husband, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, during their trip to New York last year.

Ardern was giving a presentation on how he thinks focusing on well-being can reduce inequality.