The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney TD, have today announced that Ireland has increased our COVID-19 vaccine donation commitments to COVAX by up to a further three million doses, having fulfilled earlier pledges on vaccine solidarity.
The universal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is a priority for Ireland and the European Union.
COVAX, co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines and guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.
Minister Simon Coveney said:
"As we go into the Christmas period, we must remember that others go into the weeks ahead without the vaccine protection rates we have achieved in Ireland. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of serious illness. Everybody, regardless of where they are from, should have access to vaccines. While the global vaccination rate is now over 40%, rates in many developing countries are below 2%. Today's announcement is a further sign of Ireland's commitment to addressing this imbalance."