Health

France to donate 10 million coronavirus vaccines to Africa

Paris, Aug 30 (EFE).- France will donate 10 million coronavirus vaccine doses to the African Union member states as part of the European country’s commitment to give at least 60 million shots before the end of 2021.

AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccine doses will be delivered in the next three months, the Elysee Palace said in a statement Monday.

The step comes within the framework of the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust (AVAT) initiative launched by the AU and COVAX, the global scheme that enables the supply of donor-funded vaccines to low and middle-income countries.

“The pandemic can only be overcome through intense cooperation between multilateral, regional and national actors,” French President Emmanuel Macron said, adding this process shows France’s willingness to be beside the African populations in the fight against the pandemic.

France was the first country to share Covid-19 vaccine vials via COVAX in April, according to the Elysee.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa described the latest donation from France as “a strong and welcome gesture of human solidarity and political cooperation at a time when the world needs it most.”

“A safer and healthier Africa is paramount for the same to happen around the world,” he added.EFE

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