World Bank grants $12B for vaccine purchase

The World Bank stated on Wednesday it had earmarked $12 billion to the poorest nations for the purchase of tests, vaccines, and other treatments against coronavirus that would grant support for up to a billion people.

“We are extending and expanding our fast-track approach to address the COVID emergency so that developing countries have fair and equal access to vaccines,” the bank’s president David Malpass said. “Access to safe and effective vaccines and strengthened delivery systems are key to alter the course of the pandemic and help countries experiencing catastrophic economic and fiscal impacts move toward a resilient recovery.”