COVID-19: World leaders pledges $8 billion to research vaccine; US gives the event a miss

World leaders and philanthropists on May 4 met during a teleconference hosted by European Union, where y pledged $8.1 billion to fight Coronavirus outbreak. According to reports, money will be used for research, development, manufacturing, and distribution of a possible vaccine and treatment of COVID-19 patients worldwide. online dor conference was attended by leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, rway, Spain, and or major countries in world, including organisations like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

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American pop singer Madonna also attended online conference where she reportedly pledged $1 million. United Nations and World Health Organisation were Ursula von der Leyen for her leadership in hosting event and for incredible demonstration of global solidarity.

"I end my intervention by thanking European Commission - a billion down, and I look forward to hearing from ors and reaching US$ 8 billion today. Thank you, Ursula, for bringing us all toger," Tedros said. Ursula during conference said a vaccine was best chance of beating deadly disease outbreak.

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World leaders also stressed that any vaccine must be available for all nations with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying it shouldn't be just for rich countries. EU officials said that while companies who will be receiving fundings won't be asked to forgo ir intellectual rights on new vaccine, but y should commit to affordable and equitable access for all.  

Read: Keep Affordability Factor Of Drugs, Vaccines In Mind: Vardhan To Scientists

US gives event a miss

United States, however, was missing from event, which experts say may be due to uncoordinated competition in development of a vaccine. US President Donald Trump had earlier said that a vaccine for Coronavirus would potentially be ready by end of this year, which health experts say is t possible until next year. It's t just United States missing that caught eye-balls of everyone, interestingly, China, where virus is believed to have originated, decided to send only its ambassador to European Union. 

Read: Leaders Begin Pledging Funds For Vaccine Research

(Im Credit: AP)