UK to donate 100 million Covid vaccines to countries in need
Boris Johnson announced the plans at the G7 summit in Cornwall
Last updated 11th Jun 2021
Boris Johnson has announced that the UK will start donating vaccines to countries in need within weeks.
The Prime Minister made the announcement as G7 leaders gathered in Cornwall, and said at least 100 million surplus coronavirus doses would be distributed in the next year,
The group of seven leading industrialised nations are expected to collectively agree to provide a billion doses of vaccine in an effort to end the pandemic in 2022.
Our Westminster correspondent Georgie Prodromou spoke to Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi:
The summit, in Carbis Bay, begins on Friday with leaders of wealthy nations under pressure to do more to share the burden of protecting the world from the virus.
US President Joe Biden has already promised to donate half a billion Pfizer vaccines for 92 low- and lower middle-income countries and the African Union.
UK to provide 5 million vaccine doses by October
Under the Prime Minister’s plan, the UK will provide five million doses by the end of September, with 25 million more by the end of 2021.
Boris Johnson said: “Since the start of this pandemic the UK has led the way in efforts to protect humanity against this deadly disease.
“Over a year ago we funded the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on the basis it would be distributed at cost to the world.
“This unprecedented model, which puts people squarely above profit, means over half a billion doses have been administered in 160 countries so far.
“As a result of the success of the UK’s vaccine programme we are now in a position to share some of our surplus doses with those who need them.
“In doing so we will take a massive step towards beating this pandemic for good.
“At the G7 Summit I hope my fellow leaders will make similar pledges so that, together, we can vaccinate the world by the end of next year and build back better from coronavirus.”
Officials hope that vaccinating people around the world will save lives, reduce the spread of the virus and restrict the emergence of new variants which could potentially be more dangerous than existing coronavirus strains.
G7 in Cornwall in pictures
Leaders from around the world are flying to Cornwall to take part in the G7
Some have used the G7 as an opportunity to protest, in this case climate campaigners demanded action over rising sea levels
Boris Johnson arrives in Cornwall ahead of meeting US President Joe Biden and attending the G7 summit
'Mount Recyclemore': Giant sculpture of G7 leaders made from e-waste on Cornish beach
Take a behind the scenes look at the G7 media centre in Falmouth
Extinction Rebellion held a protest in St Ives calling for climate justice
Extinction Rebellion held a protest in St Ives calling for climate justice
Extinction Rebellion landed at Porthminster beach in St Ives
Extinction Rebellion landed at Porthminster beach in St Ives
Us President, Joe Biden's, motorcade travelling through Cornwall
Boris Johnson and Joe Biden meet together for the first time in Carbis Bay
Police officers patrolling the water during the Red Arrows display on the Saturday evening
Police officers playing football with 9-year-old Cai Whenray-Hughes
Police officers during the G7 summit
Police direct traffic during protest in St Ives
Cornish singer-songwriter Daisy Clark performs for G7 leaders and Royal Family
Protestors block road in St Ives
Boris Johnson hosts a beach barbecue on Carbis Bay for the world leaders
Extinction Rebellion 'sink' giant G7 logo on Porthminster beach
The Red Arrows over Carbis Bay
The world leaders during day two of the G7 summit
Carbis Bay during the G7 summit
World leaders and their partners watch the Red Arrows perform over Carbis Bay
The beach barbecue on the Saturday evening
Joe and Jill Biden arrive at Cornwall Airport Newquay ahead of the summit
On the beach at Carbis Bay
Police officers on Porthminster beach, St Ives, during an Extinction Rebellion protest
Surfers Against Sewage stage mass paddleout at Gylly beach in Falmouth