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SINGAPORE: Singapore will contribute $ 5 million (S $ 6.67 million) to help bring COVID-19 vaccines to people in low- and lower-middle-income countries, the Foreign Ministry (MFA) and the Ministry said. of Health (MOH). in a joint statement on Friday (December 4).
The contribution will go to the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Advanced Market Engagement Mechanism (AMC), which will help 92 countries ensure access to vaccines.
Six members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are among the countries eligible for assistance: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.
The COVAX initiative is coordinated by the Gavi Global Vaccine Alliance, together with the Coalition for Innovations in Epidemic Preparedness and the World Health Organization.
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The MFA and the Ministry of Health said the move is part of Singapore’s “continued support for vaccine multilateralism and fair and equitable access and allocation of vaccines,” and that an effective international response to the pandemic requires global solidarity.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on public health, society and the economy both at home and abroad,” the ministries said.
“The virus does not respect borders and no one is safe until everyone is safe.
“The successful development of safe and effective vaccines is a critical step in overcoming the pandemic.”
The COVAX facility’s goal is to fairly source and distribute 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.
Singapore is one of 97 self-financing participants in the COVAX Facility and co-chairs the Friends of the COVAX Facility initiative with Switzerland.
“Singapore will continue to work closely with our international partners, notably the United Nations, the World Health Organization, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Innovations in Epidemic Preparedness to promote vaccine multilateralism. and forge a global response to this pandemic ”. the ministries said.
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