International
Australia shows leadership in funding lifesaving vaccines
Prior to the historic vaccines pledging conference, which is taking place today in London, the Australian government yesterday announced that it will give AUD$200 million over 3 years to fund lifesaving vaccines in developing countries.
This announcement shows incredible leadership from the Australian Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd, and is a fantastic start to the conference.
Responding to the news, ONE’s co-founder Bono said yesterday:
“Rudd has proven today that he, Prime Minister Gillard and the Australian public are ready to show global leadership, tackling one of the most needless killers of kids…lack of access to vaccinations for the poorest of the poor. This will be known as the decade of vaccines. Vaccinations are cheap, effective technologies that will, with this kind of leadership, save 4 million lives by 2015. This is not daydreaming by activists. This is a costed, well thought out plan, one of the most exciting things the ONE campaign has ever been involved in”.
In the run up to the announcement ONE members in Australia sent emails and made phone calls to Mr. Rudd to help convince him to make the right decision.
The Australian government’s decision shows that it realises that the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations (GAVI) is one of the best examples of smart, innovative aid. Vaccines deliver measurable and cost-effective results. They save millions of children whose future potential, creativity and intellect will drive development in their countries and make vulnerable regions of our world more secure.
Thank you to all ONE members who helped make this happen.
With this positive announcement from Australia and other commitments coming in thick and fast this morning momentum is building. Watch the ONE blog for more news soon.
- Previous Post Conference to save 4 million lives in 4 years #4mlives
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About the Blog
The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
15/06/2011 at 11:37 am
Australia has shown true leadership in funding vaccines for poor and vulnerable children. It’s a wonderful thing
15/06/2011 at 6:26 pm
I love you Australia! Been showing some surprising leadership that inspires us here in Canada.
15/06/2011 at 9:14 pm
I was delighted to hear, via BBC World Service Radio, the comments of the GSK’s representative at the vaccine conference to the effect that they don’t anticipate to make any profits out of the vaccines that they will offer for this programme.
I have been trying to find out GSK’s comments in another related BBC World Service Radio programme, Pills, Patients and Profits of 2003 or 2004. Can anyone out there bring the two together?
16/06/2011 at 5:04 am
I think that its great that 200 million will be pledged towards vaccinating the poorest of the poor. Australia is doing a great job.
16/06/2011 at 7:21 am
If you are going to fall for this one then please do your research first!
where is this so call $200m coming from? tax payers money by any chance? without consent ! tax is the one of the biggest excuses in the world, the government can do anything with our tax money that they want!
do your research on GSK’s past (watch marketing of madness!)
it all sounds good “saving children!” government controls pharmaceutical companies and the media so they can tell you what ever “so call good” out come they want!
this leadership that you are calling it wouldn’t be there if there wasn’t a healthy profit involved for the government and pharmaceutical companies…
please watch all the zeitgeist movies and “marketing of madness” and then look further
21/06/2011 at 2:46 am
It is great to see $200m being spent for such a good cause. From one of many Australians.. Nice one Kevin Rudd and Australian Government.
24/06/2011 at 11:57 pm
I congratulate and admire anyone who is attempting to save lives David Cole, but don’t put to much faith in K Rudd, he’s just a bag of wind, looking after his own interests, and his money grabbing wife, Kevin will tell you everything you want to hear,