ONE reacts to Biden commitment to COVAX

WASHINGTON — Following Dr. Fauci’s remarks to the World Health Organization, The ONE Campaign issued the below statement today on the news that President Joe Biden intends to join the COVAX vaccine facility and support the ACT-A Accelerator, which aim to ensure global access for essential vaccines and therapeutics.

Tom Hart, North America executive director at The ONE Campaign:

“US leadership is vital to fighting this pandemic. The decision to join COVAX is another clear sign to the world that the Biden administration is committed to ending this once-in-a-generation global health crisis. COVAX is the world’s best hope for ensuring that everyone can have access to effective vaccines, and its success largely hinges on the US’ eagerness to play a convening and catalytic role. 

“Last year, Congress authorized significant funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to help get COVID-19 vaccines to lower-income countries around the world. This funding, coupled with our decision to join COVAX, will save lives and help shorten the lifespan of this pandemic. While we applaud this decision, we remain clear-eyed about the need for more resources to help those most in need. ONE looks forward to working with the Biden administration and our bipartisan allies in Congress to ensure the world’s most vulnerable receive the resources they need to adequately fight this crisis and bring a faster end to this pandemic at home and abroad.”