The government plans to donate about 300 million dollars (32 billion yen) over the next five years to the Geneva-based Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (Gavi), which helps vaccinate people in developing countries, government sources said. It is the largest contribution ever made to the international organization, and is set to be announced at a Gavi meeting on Thursday.
Gavi is financed by contributions from many countries. It is set to hold a capital increase meeting Thursday to raise funds for its operations from 2021 through 2025. Japan's past contributions were about 54 million dollars (6 billion yen) for 2011-15 and about 95 million dollars (10 billion yen) for 2016-20.
The 300 million dollars includes about 100 million dollars (11 billion yen) that the government decided to donate in April to finance the delivery of vaccines and other expenses.
As the spread of the new coronavirus has become more serious worldwide, the government aims to promote Japan's contribution to international efforts to fight the disease by strengthening its support for expanding vaccine use.
Gavi uses international funds to buy vaccines from pharmaceutical companies and provide them to developing countries at low cost. It also supports the installation of low-temperature storage for vaccines and the purchase of gowns for medical workers involved in administering vaccinations.
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