Call to Action on COVID Vaccine Access for Developing Countries by Heads of World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund
IMF News, June 3, 2021
Source details
- Canonical URL
- Call to Action on COVID Vaccine Access for Developing Countries by Heads of World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund
Other formats
Bibliographic details
- Published: June 3, 2021
Context and key message
- Press Release No. 21/157; June 3, 2021.
- Issued jointly by David Malpass, President of the World Bank Group, and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.
- Core message: “The coronavirus pandemic will not end until everyone has access to vaccines, including people in developing countries. Worldwide access to vaccines offers the best hope for stopping the coronavirus pandemic, saving lives, and securing a broad-based economic recovery.”
Financing request and international appeal
- Calls for international support for $50 billion of financing aimed at achieving more equitable access to vaccines and helping to end the pandemic everywhere.
- Collaboration highlighted with WHO and WTO in urging support for the financing.
Calls to action for countries and stakeholders
- For countries with anticipated excess vaccine supplies:
- Release their surplus doses and options as soon as possible.
- Do so in a transparent manner.
- Prioritize release to developing countries that have adequate distribution plans in place.
- For developing countries:
- Move quickly to put in place vaccine procurement and distribution plans.
- Implement communication efforts to convey the life-saving importance of approved COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Receive support from the World Bank and the IMF, working closely with WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and vaccine manufacturers, in developing and financing such plans.
- For governments, pharmaceutical companies, and organizations involved in vaccine procurement and delivery:
- Increase transparency and build greater public information regarding:
- Vaccine contracts, options and agreements;
- Vaccine financing and delivery agreements;
- Doses delivered and future delivery plans.
- For vaccine manufacturers:
- Prioritize the scale up of vaccine production.
- Provide increased access for developing countries.
- The World Bank Group and IMF will work actively to encourage and support greater access.
Rationale and framing
- Distributing vaccines more widely is described as both:
- An urgent economic necessity.
- A moral imperative.
Media contact
- IMF Communications Department, MEDIA RELATIONS.
- PRESS OFFICER: Raphael Anspach
- Phone: +1 202 623-7100
- Email: MEDIA@IMF.org
- Social: @IMFSpokesperson
Press Release No. 21/157; June 3, 2021. IMF Communications Department.