UK High Commissioner thanks PM Modi & India for global vaccine summit participation & aid

British High Commissioner to India Jan Thompson has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his participation in Global Vaccine Summit that was hosted by United Kingdom. She also expressed her gratitude for India's contribution to Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) as India pledged USD 15 million to cause.

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Global Vaccine Summit

Global Vaccine Summit hosted by UK PM Boris Johnson saw participation of over 50 ​countries, business leaders, UN ncies and civil societies. PM Modi while addressing Global Vaccine Summit, offered India's support in producing vaccines at a low cost. PM Modi highlighted that India has donated to Gavi despite being eligible for financial support from Gavi as he emphasised that  Gavi was t just an alliance but a symbol of global solidarity.

PM Modi also highlighted India's track record of immunisation to elaborate on country's will to fight and prevent any deadly disease. "One of first programmes launched by our government was Mission Indradhanush. It aims to ensure full vaccination of our children and pregnant women. India is world's 4th most producer of vaccines. We are fortunate to contribute to immunization of 60% of world's children," he said.

"Our proven capacity to produce quality medicines and vaccines at low cost, our own domestic experience in rapidly expanding immunisation and our considerable research talent - se are all at service of humanity," PM Modi added while reiterating India's capabilities in domain of vaccination and pharmaceuticals which will be instrumental in fighting deadly COVID-19.

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What is Gavi?

Gavi came into inception in 2000 with an aim to encour manufacturers to lower vaccine prices for poorest countries in return for long-term and high volume demand from se nations. Its core partners are  World Health Organization, UNICEF, World Bank and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gavi has helped vaccinate 760 million children in world's poorest nations, preventing more than 13 million deaths. UK PM Boris Johnson, addressing Summit, called upon all countries to back Gavi in fight against world's deadliest diseases.