28th July 2021 – The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) comment on the UK Government’s announcement on plans to start donating millions of COVID-19 vaccines overseas:

“Sharing COVID-19 vaccines now is crucial to ending the pandemic and the UK Government’s plan to donate 9 million vaccines in the coming weeks is a welcome step. At a time when the delay in global vaccine supply is impacting millions of people around the world this is the action needed to end this pandemic, for everyone everywhere.

“However, demand for vaccines continues to outstrip supply. Only 1 in 8 health workers globally have been fully vaccinated. The urgency for more doses to be shared faster remains.

“UNICEF will continue to work with COVAX partners to deliver doses to protect vulnerable populations and health workers in low- and middle-income countries around the world. Every single dose that reaches people’s arms makes us all safer and brings us one step closer to ending this pandemic for good.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For more details, please contact UNICEF UK media team at 0207 375 6030, [email protected]

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

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