DILI, 12 february 2022 (TATOLI)- Today, Timor-Leste received a total of 100,620 doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States through the COVAX Facility. The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine doses will be used to vaccinate children between 12 and below 18 years and for booster doses, in line with a decision by the Government of Timor-Leste.
“The contribution by the Government of the United States through COVAX will greatly support Timor-Leste continue vaccinating everyone above 12 years of age, and reduce the risk of severe cases and hospitalizations,” Odete Maria Frietas Belo, Minister of Health in Timor-Leste said.
“The solidarity that COVAX partners has shown is exemplary, especially at a time when many of their own countries are heavily impacted by COVID-19 and evolving variants like Omicron.”
Today’s delivery brings the total U.S. contribution to Timor-Leste to 201,240 Pfizer BioNTech vaccine doses through the COVAX Facility.
“The United States stands with Timor-Leste as an enduring friend and partner as we work to combat COVID-19,” said U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Tom Daley. “Today’s shipment reflects our commitment to support the Government’s efforts to save lives in Timor-Leste. We are proud to make these vaccines available to end this pandemic and jumpstart economic recovery.”
COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO) – in partnership with UNICEF as the implementing partner, as well as civil society organisations, vaccine manufacturers, the World Bank, and others. The COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) is achieving a multilateral response to the pandemic crisis, leveraging the expertise of multilateral agencies, the resources of donors and the commitment of recipient counties, to support global equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
With a contribution of $4 billion toward vaccine procurement and delivery, the United States is the largest donor to the COVAX Facility. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the United States has been working side-by-side with the Government of Timor-Leste to provide the vaccines and over $5.9 million in critical assistance to fight COVID-19.
COVAX partners have been supporting governments and partners around the world to prepare for and implement COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. In Timor-Leste, UNICEF and WHO are supporting the Government of Timor-Leste to implement the national vaccine deployment plan.
The COVAX Facility and provision of vaccines are supported by generous funding from the Governments of Australia, Bhutan, Canada, Colombia, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Team Europe, United Kingdom, the United States of America and several other donors and institutions.
About COVAX
COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Gavi) and the World Health Organization (WHO) – working in partnership with UNICEF as the key partner, as well as civil society organisations, vaccine manufacturers, the World Bank, and others. In the Americas, the PAHO Revolving Fund is the recognized procurement agent for COVAX.
The Advance Market Commitment is funded through the generosity of governments, private sector, philanthropic and multilateral partners, See the AMC donor table for a complete list of pledges. The AMC is an innovative financial mechanism to help secure global and equitable access for COVID-19 vaccines.
Journalist : Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Rafy Belo
