Collins Aerospace joins AerCap, Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and SMBC Aviation Capital in a group effort to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccinations in low-income countries via a collective $400,000 USD contribution to the Gavi COVAX Advanced Market commitment (COVAX AMC).
COVAX AMC provides access to donor-funded vaccine doses to 92 lower-income nations. In addition, the Gavi Matching Fund will double the impact of this gift, resulting in $800,000 USD in support of global COVID-19 vaccine equity.
The Aviation Coalition knows support is still needed to ensure no one from the global community is left behind in this pandemic. Each company contributed $100,000 USD as testament to the importance of giving people in every corner of the world safe and equitable access to vaccination. Others are encouraged to join and learn more about Gavi and COVAX.
Aengus Kelly, CEO, AerCap, said:“We at AerCap are delighted to support Gavi and COVAX AMC. Though parts of the world are recovering well, other areas continue to face considerable challenges. We need to continue to support the battle against COVID-19 all across the world. It is in everyone’s interest to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccines and to support those who are less fortunate.”
Colin Mahoney, President, Customer & Account Management, Collins Aerospace, commented:“By supporting COVAX AMC, we can help enable access to doses of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines in low- and middle-income countries, regardless of income level. Collins Aerospace recognizes that this pandemic isn’t over until every country recovers, and COVAX is the best way for us to support.”
Rick Deurloo, Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Pratt & Whitney, declared:“Pratt & Whitney wants to ensure that anyone who wants a vaccine can access it regardless of the country they live in. Our pledge to COVAX AMC is a reflection of this commitment, and we encourage other aviation leaders to join us in support of Gavi and COVAX AMC.”
Peter Barrett, Chief Executive Officer, SMBC Aviation Capital, said:“It is our responsibility as good corporate citizens to play our part in addressing global vaccine equity. By Supporting COVAX AMC and Gavi, we are helping to ensure that everyone will have equal access to safe vaccines regardless of where they live or their means. This is a global solution to a global crisis and one that we are proud to support.”
Marie-Ange Saraka-Yao, Managing Director, Resource Mobilisation, Private Sector Partnerships & Innovative Finance Department, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, said: “Enhancing equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines is in everyone’s interest. Through the Gavi COVAX AMC, we are ensuring life-saving vaccines reach the people that need them most, everywhere in the world. We have already secured 1.9 billion vaccines set to be delivered by the end of 2021, and with the additional funding from the Aviation Coalition we can continue protecting lives.”
COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by CEPI, Gavi and WHO – working in partnership with UNICEF and PAHO as delivery partners, developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers, the World Bank, and others. It is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both high-income and lower-income countries. Gavi leads on procurement and delivery at scale for COVAX: designing and managing the COVAX Facility and the Gavi COVAX AMC and working with UNICEF and WHO, along with governments, on country readiness and delivery.
As of July 2021, COVAX had successfully delivered more than 134 million COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, including over 100 million to lower-income economies.
