WHO Appeals for $7.7 Billion to Vaccinate 10% of Global Population by End of Next Month

"7.7 Billion USD Needed to Secure Vaccines for Poorest Countries"
"Goal to Vaccinate 70% of Global Population by First Half of Next Year"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-woo] The World Health Organization (WHO) has appealed to urgently raise $7.7 billion (approximately 8.9 trillion KRW) by the end of next month to vaccinate at least 10% of the global population against COVID-19. WHO has so far purchased 760 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and is distributing them to the poorest countries, with plans to vaccinate more than 70% of the global population by mid-next year.

On the 10th (local time), Bruce Aylward, WHO Senior Advisor, stated at a virtual meeting, "WHO has set a goal to vaccinate at least 10% of the global population by the end of September, at least 40% by the end of the year, and 70% by mid-next year." He emphasized, "Unlike wealthy countries such as the United States and Israel, where more than half of the population has already been vaccinated, many extremely poor countries have not vaccinated anyone at all." He added, "An urgent $7.7 billion is needed to support vaccination and strengthen prevention measures in the poorest countries, and we appeal to the international community for emergency fundraising."

Marianela Simao, WHO Deputy Director-General, who also attended the virtual meeting, stressed, "COVID-19 cannot be resolved by vaccinating just one country; more countries must act together. Otherwise, we will have to live with this virus for much longer."

According to CNBC, WHO has so far raised about $3.8 billion and purchased 760 million vaccine doses from manufacturers, mainly providing sequential support to the poorest countries. However, it is reported that most developing countries, as well as the poorest countries, are unable to carry out mass vaccinations due to inadequate healthcare systems and lack of equipment, even when receiving vaccine support.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.