‘Imbalance’ in distribution of COVID-19 jabs ‘must be corrected,’ Duterte tells summit

FILE PHOTO: A pack of AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccines is seen as the country receives its first batch of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines under the COVAX scheme, at the international airport of Accra, Ghana, on February 24, 2021. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — The “imbalance” in COVID-19 vaccine distribution worldwide must be corrected to attain inclusive recovery, President Rodrigo Duterte said during the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) One World Protected Summit held Wednesday.

According to a Palace statement, the President cited that 80 percent of the global supply of vaccines goes to developed countries.

“This imbalance must be corrected – or there will be no real and inclusive global recovery to speak of,” Duterte was quoted to have said during the meeting.

Also during the summit, Duterte pledged $1 million as Philippine contribution to the global vaccine-sharing pool, COVAX facility.

READ: PH will contribute $1 million to COVAX facility – Duterte

“It is our moral responsibility to help each other and face this crisis with greater solidarity and urgency. While modest, our contribution demonstrates our firm commitment to this global fight against COVID-19,” he said.

The President also thanked the Gavi alliance and encouraged more countries to contribute to the vaccine initiative.

The Gavi COVAX AMC summit was co-hosted by Japan Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide and Gavi Chair of the Board Jose Manuel Barroso. The event aims to fill the gap in providing COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income or poor countries.

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