{ "title": "Joint Statement of the Multilateral Leaders Taskforce on Scaling COVID-19 Tools: A Crisis of Vaccine Inequity", "publication": "IMF News, August 27, 2021", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity", "canonical": "https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity", "overlayPath": "/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity/index.md", "summary": "The global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is progressing at two alarmingly different speeds.", "publishDate": "2021-08-27", "sections": [ { "heading": "Key findings: vaccine rollout and inequity", "content": "- The global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is progressing at two alarmingly different speeds.\n- Less than 2% of adults are fully vaccinated in most low-income countries compared to almost 50% in high income countries.\n- Many low- and lower middle-income countries, the majority in Africa, cannot access sufficient vaccine supply to meet global targets:\n - global goals of 10% coverage in all countries by September and 40% by end 2021;\n - African Union’s goal of 70% in 2022.\n- This crisis of vaccine inequity is driving a dangerous divergence in COVID-19 survival rates and in the global economy.\n- Barely 10% of nearly 900 million committed doses have so far been shipped." }, { "heading": "Calls to action and policy recommendations", "content": "- To ensure all countries achieve at least 10% coverage by September and 40% by end-2021, the Multilateral Leaders Taskforce calls for:\n - Countries that have contracted high volumes of vaccines to swap near-term delivery schedules with COVAX and AVAT.\n - Vaccine manufacturers to immediately prioritize and fulfill their contracts to COVAX and AVAT, and to provide regular, clear supply forecasts.\n - G7 and all dose-sharing countries to fulfill their pledges urgently, with enhanced pipeline visibility, product shelf life and support for ancillary supplies.\n - All countries to eliminate export restrictions and any other trade barriers on COVID-19 vaccines and the inputs involved in their production." }, { "heading": "Support, coordination, and financing actions", "content": "- The Taskforce is intensifying work with COVAX and AVAT to tackle persistent vaccine delivery, manufacturing and trade issues, notably in Africa.\n- Mobilize grants and concessional financing to support vaccine delivery and manufacturing needs; explore financing mechanisms to cover future vaccine needs as requested by AVAT.\n- Advocate for better supply forecasts and investments to increase country preparedness and absorptive capacity." }, { "heading": "Data, transparency, and operational priorities", "content": "- Continue to enhance data to identify gaps and improve transparency in the supply and use of all COVID-19 tools.\n- Emphasize the need for regular, clear supply forecasts from manufacturers and enhanced pipeline visibility from dose-sharing countries." }, { "heading": "Administrative and contact information", "content": "- Press Release No. 21/245\n- Date: August 27, 2021\n- IMF Communications Department — MEDIA RELATIONS\n- PRESS OFFICER: Nadya Saber\n- Phone: +1 202 623-7100\n- Email: MEDIA@IMF.org\n- @IMFSpokesperson\n\nSource: Joint Statement of the Multilateral Leaders Taskforce on Scaling COVID-19 Tools: A Crisis of Vaccine Inequity (Press Release No. 21/245, August 27, 2021).\n\n---\n\n\n References\n\n- Press Releases\n- PRESS CENTER\n- https://www.imf.org/en/home\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity" } ], "bullets": [ "[Markdown version](/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity/index.md)", "[Structured JSON version](/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity/index.json)", "[Bundle manifest](/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity/bundle-manifest.json)", "Published: August 27, 2021", "The global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines is progressing at two alarmingly different speeds.", "Less than 2% of adults are fully vaccinated in most low-income countries compared to almost 50% in high income countries.", "Many low- and lower middle-income countries, the majority in Africa, cannot access sufficient vaccine supply to meet global targets:", "This crisis of vaccine inequity is driving a dangerous divergence in COVID-19 survival rates and in the global economy.", "Barely 10% of nearly 900 million committed doses have so far been shipped.", "To ensure all countries achieve at least 10% coverage by September and 40% by end-2021, the Multilateral Leaders Taskforce calls for:", "The Taskforce is intensifying work with COVAX and AVAT to tackle persistent vaccine delivery, manufacturing and trade issues, notably in Africa.", "Mobilize grants and concessional financing to support vaccine delivery and manufacturing needs; explore financing mechanisms to cover future vaccine needs as requested by AVAT.", "Advocate for better supply forecasts and investments to increase country preparedness and absorptive capacity.", "Continue to enhance data to identify gaps and improve transparency in the supply and use of all COVID-19 tools.", "Emphasize the need for regular, clear supply forecasts from manufacturers and enhanced pipeline visibility from dose-sharing countries.", "Press Release No. 21/245", "Date: August 27, 2021", "IMF Communications Department — MEDIA RELATIONS", "PRESS OFFICER: Nadya Saber", "Phone: +1 202 623-7100", "Email: MEDIA@IMF.org", "@IMFSpokesperson", "[Press Releases](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)", "[PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)" ], "alternates": { "markdown": "/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity/index.md", "json": "/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity/index.json", "bundleManifest": "/en/news/articles/2021/08/27/pr21245-joint-statement-multilateral-leaders-taskforce-scaling-covid-tools-crisis-vaccine-inequity/bundle-manifest.json" }, "generatedAtUtc": "2026-09-26T00:36:17.779Z" }