UK pledges £1.65 billion to the pursuit of a Covid-19 vaccine and to help get it to the world's poorest people

The UK will invest £1.65 billion over the next five years to fund the development of a Covid-19 vaccine and help the poorest people around the world get immunised against the infection.

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced the investment at the daily Downing Street briefing, revealing the cash would go to the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) which is spearheading the efforts.

This adds to the £210 million the UK has already pledged to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) as part of the global push to develop coronavirus vaccines.

Domestically around £45 million has been split between projects at Oxford University and Imperial College London which are both racing to find a solution to the Covid-19 pandemic, with human trials already underway.

Mr Raab said: “The health secretary announced last week that UK trials started last week as we draw on the incredible scientific talent we have in this country to pursue a vaccine. This effort too has an international dimension to it.

“So today I can announce that the UK will provide Gavi – which is the international vaccine alliance – with £330 million each year over the next five years both to come up with a vaccine to protect the British people but also help immunise millions of the poorest and most vulnerable people right around the world.

“Combining the depth of our innovative know-how with the big hearted determination that has characterised our national effort to defeat the coronavirus.”

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