According to the government website, Norway has promised to make available five million of its own vaccines in 2021 for global work to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. It has now come true. This helps ensure better vaccine distribution to low-income countries through the global Covax initiative.
Better distribution of Covid-19 vaccines is essential if we are to tackle the pandemic around the world. In addition to large financial contributions to the purchase of vaccines, Norway is working to get richer countries to share vaccines with low-income countries. The fact that we keep our own promises is important both because these vaccines are very much in demand in poor countries. This is also important because it shows that we are delivering on our international promises. We are also asking other countries to do the same, says Development Aid Minister Anne Beathe Tvinnereim.
Better distribution of Covid-19 vaccines is crucial
In spring 2021, Norway made a commitment to distribute at least five million coronary vaccines. More than five million Norwegian vaccine doses have been made available through Covax's international vaccination partnership. They will help improve access to vaccines in countries that still have low vaccination rates.
To date, 1,5 million Norwegian doses have been distributed mainly to African countries. In addition, Norway donated 896 doses bilaterally in cooperation with the European Commission. Norway has made available the AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna and pfizera vaccines. Norwegian vaccine donations did not delay Norwegian vaccination.
`` If the virus can continue to grow in other countries, we can get new variants of the virus that could threaten the effects of the vaccines we now have against Covid-19. The delivery of vaccines to other countries is therefore also important to Norway's fight against the pandemic. Sharing vaccines that we do not need in Norway is important and correct, says Minister of Health and Welfare Ingvild Kjerkol.
About 6% of the population on the African continent is fully vaccinated. To date, the Covax vaccine collaboration has distributed 507 million doses of vaccine in 144 countries. Norway plans to donate around 30 million doses of vaccines internationally.
The virus can get new variants of the virus, they can jeopardize the effects of the vaccines we have now
- The Hurdal platform clearly states that we must be committed to the fight against infectious diseases. We will do this by contributing to the financing, development and equal distribution of vaccines and other medical technologies that the market does not provide itself, says Kjerkol.
- Norway has long been the engine of international cooperation. This work will continue and be strengthened. Investing in health is investing in social, economic and environmental sustainability, says Tvinnereim.
Source: regjeringen
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