UK to donate 100 million surplus COVID-19 vaccine doses to the world

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday that the UK will provide 100 million surplus coronavirus vaccine doses to the rest of the world within the next year. The announcement comes ahead of the G7 Summit, which begins on Friday in Cornwall.

Prime Minister Johson requested last week that fellow G7 leaders assist in vaccinating the entire planet by the end of next year.

As per excerpts of the announcement issued by Johnson's office, "as a result of the success of the UK's vaccine programme, we are now in a position to share some of our surplus doses with those who need them."

This comes amid increased demands for the US and other wealthy nations to play a bigger role in increasing global coronavirus vaccine availability.

The UK's announcement came only hours after US President Joe Biden committed 92 low- and middle-income countries and the African Union half a billion doses of Pfizer vaccinations.

World leaders are anticipated to announce during the Summit that they will offer at least 1 billion coronavirus vaccine doses to the world through dose sharing and financing, as well as a strategy to boost vaccine production to meet that objective.

Starting over the coming weeks, the UK will distribute 5 million doses by the end of September, particularly for use in the poorest nations.

The Prime Minister has also pledged to provide an additional 95 million doses in the coming year, with another 25 million by the end of 2021. COVAX will receive 80% of the 100 million doses, while the rest will be shared bilaterally with countries in need.

By sharing 5 million doses over the next several weeks, the UK will be able to address immediate demand for vaccines in the nations most impacted by the coronavirus while also completing our initial domestic vaccination programme.

The dosages that the UK has indicated it will contribute today will come from a projected surplus supply in the UK.

The figure of 100 million is based on the total number of vaccines required to vaccinate the whole UK population, taking into account the probability of future vaccine-resistant strains being discovered as well as potential supply disruptions.