Japan commits 17.2b yen to WHO's global coronavirus vaccine programme
[TOKYO] Japan said on Tuesday it has committed 17.2 billion yen (S$221.7 million) in funds for its participation in the World Health Organization's Covid-19 vaccine programme.
The programme, known as Covax, is aimed at helping buy and fairly distribute vaccination shots against the novel coronavirus around the world. But some countries which have secured their own supplies through bilateral deals, including the United States, have said they will not join.
The funds are part of a 1.64 trillion yen reserve intended to bolster the government's response to the virus, a government document showed.
Japan has also pursued independent arrangements with global pharmaceutical companies to secure vaccines, with the government pledging to have enough supply for the whole population by the first half of 2021.
The Covax programme has set a Sept 18 deadline for contributions.
REUTERS
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
US mulls first green-bond sales to tap a US$2.6 trillion market
US factory activity shrinks with price gauge highest since 2022
Hong Kong faces uphill battle to lure back Chinese tourists
Weak yen boosts tourist wallets in Japan
Gas prices are putting Washington’s boldest climate policy at risk
India collects record 2.10 trillion rupees as goods and services tax in April