WASHINGTON, April 12, 2021 – This morning, World Bank Group President David Malpass met with José Manuel Barroso, Chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. During their meeting, President Malpass and Mr. Barroso discussed challenges facing acquisition and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines by developing countries and the importance of countries with excess vaccine supplies releasing them as soon as possible.
President Malpass expressed appreciation for the partnership between the World Bank Group and Gavi on vaccine issues in developing countries, including in response to COVID-19. President Malpass noted the World Bank's actions to help countries assess and increase their vaccination capacity and to provide funding for vaccine purchases, which to date have committed $1.7 billion with around $4 billion expected to be approved by mid-year. He reaffirmed that this financing may be used by countries to make co-payments to COVAX, as well as to purchase the necessary additional doses beyond the basic 20% population coverage.
President Malpass expressed his desire to work closely with Gavi on a 2022 strategy, including helping expand vaccine production capacity for developing countries. President Malpass and Mr. Barroso also discussed the need for more transparency by countries, suppliers and development partners to distinguish contracts, options, letters of intent, best efforts and MOUs, as well as regarding national export and supply commitments and requirements.
