Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
US Vaccine Donations Could Spike By Another 1 Billion, Biden Says At G7
Bloomberg: Biden Says U.S. May Be Able To Send 1 Billion More Vaccine Doses
President Joe Biden said Sunday the U.S. may be able to provide 1 billion more doses of coronavirus vaccine to the world by 2023, and again raised the possibility that the virus may have escaped from a Chinese laboratory. “There’s a possibility over in 2022, going into 2023, that we would be able to be in a position to provide another billion U.S., but that’s not done yet,” he said Sunday at a news conference in Cornwall, England, following the completion of the Group of Seven summit. (Wingrove and Jacobs, 6/13)
Axios: G7 Leaders Pledge To Share 1 Billion COVID-19 Vaccine Doses In Next Year
The Group of Seven nations will provide more than a billion coronavirus vaccine doses to aid global vaccination efforts over the next year, the leaders announced on the final day of the summit. The G7 nations have been criticized for not sharing their vaccines, particularly with countries that have struggled to contain new waves of the virus. (Reyes, 6/13)
AP: IMF Chief: 1 Billion Vaccine Doses Only A Start
The International Monetary Fund managing director says there’s a moral imperative for the world’s richest countries to back programs to end the COVID-19 pandemic but the donation of excess vaccines is only the first step. Kristalina Georgieva’s comments in a virtual press conference at the Group of Seven summit Sunday in England came after U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he hoped G-7 leaders would agree to provide at least 1 billion vaccine doses for poorer countries. Humanitarian groups have welcomed the donations, but are calling for money, increased production and logistical support to help developing countries where the virus is still raging. (6/13)
AP: Aid Groups Appeal To G-7 For Cash To Get Shots Into Arms
Rich nations must do more than just donate surplus vaccines if they hope to end the COVID-19 pandemic, according to public health experts and humanitarian groups that are calling for money, increased production and logistical support to help developing countries where the virus is still raging. The appeal came after U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he hoped leaders of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations will agree to provide at least 1 billion vaccine doses for poorer countries. The G-7 leaders, who are holding their annual meeting this weekend in Cornwall, southwest England, continue to debate other forms of aid to get lifesaving vaccine shots into arms. (Kirka, 6/12)
