Australia has pledged to allocate half a billion dollars in a bid to help the Pacific and south-east nations in their Covid-19 immunisation programs.
The money will be utilised on an ‘advance purchase’ of Covid-19 vaccines, and will help Australia’s neighbours cover their population against Covid-19 over the next three years.
The Morrison government believes assisting the Pacific and southeast Aisan nations in their recovery will contribute to Australia’s own economic recovery and health security.
“Ensuring it [regional neighbours] can recover quickly will stimulate economic activity and restore jobs at home and abroad”, Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said.
According to Ms. Payne, the initiative is separate from and in addition to Australia’s ongoing international development assistance budget to its regional neighbours. Australia’s neighbours, especially the Island nations who are heavily dependent upon tourism revenue have been severely affected since they closed their nations owing to the pandemic. The initiative to assist their regional neighbours ensures a speedy economic and health recovery.
“A fast, safe vaccine rollout in the Pacific and Southeast Asia will mean we are able to return to more normal travel, tourism and trade with our key partners in the region,” she added.
Australia will also provide a range of other support along with the vaccine doses. They include:
- vaccine safety and effectiveness assessments,
- technical support for equitable access,
- knowledge sharing, and dissemination of important information as shared by WHO and other health bodies.
