translated from Spanish: EU promised to donate “at least” 100 million vaccines to poor countries

“The EU and Member States are committed to accelerating vaccine delivery to support countries in need, with the aim of donating at least 100 million doses by the end of the year and helping to develop local manufacturing capacities” for vaccines, the leaders said in the text agreed at a summit in Brussels.The 27 member countries stressed that only the pandemic can be contained with a “broad global response” and that the bloc “is the world’s largest exporter of vaccines.” They advocated “accelerating work” to make access to vaccines “global and affordable” and supported the “leadership role” of the Covax mechanism, promoted by the United Nations (UN), for better and wider drug distribution. In recent weeks, several countries have announced significant donations to those with less access to immunizers. Germany and France, for example, ensured that they will share 30 million doses each, while Spain advanced in April that it expected to send 7.5 million to Latin America, the Europa Press news agency reviewed.About 170 million Europeans, 46% of the total, already received at least one dose, according to data that was transferred to the leaders by the president of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen.245 million doses have been administered through all Member States since the start of the vaccination campaign in December last year. Despite optimism, the 27 countries will remain “vigilant” at the possible emergence of new variants. The text agreed at the summit also welcomes the agreement to launch from July the certificate making it easier this summer to travel to Europeans who have been vaccinated, have antibodies or have a negative test. In turn, they supported a rapid implementation of a health certificate that would allow the reopening of borders and initiated a discussion on the climate change action plan. Pressed for the need to revive economies with the proximity of the tourist season, they praised the development of the “European Digital Covid Certificate” and called for its “rapid implementation”.

Original source in Spanish