BRUSSELS, 25 November 2021 – The European Parliament approved the budget deal reached on 15 November and adopted the 2022 budget. It also agreed to amend the 2021 budget and make use of  €1.3 billion to increase access to COVID19 vaccines in low and middle-income countries. 

On the 2022 budget, Emily Wigens, EU Director at the ONE Campaign, said: “The 2022 budget deal indicates the EU is ready to step up its game with an increase of €368 million for external action. It’s now essential that the Commission and member states continue to allocate the necessary resources needed to increasing COVID19 vaccines & treatment access in poorer countries. The new external funds are a positive first step. The European Commission and member states must now step up to do it’s fairshare in finding additional funding to meet the global goal of vaccinating 70% of the population in all countries next year. ”

Responding to the amendments to the 2021 budget, Wigens continued: “This agreement is a major step forward because it uses the EU’s emergency funds to increase global vaccine access, without compromising development programs. This is exactly what the EU needs to do in 2022 to ensure we end the pandemic, and put all partners on track to a fair recovery.  This deal comes at a time when 2.8% of people in low-income countries are fully vaccinated and 6 times as many people have received a booster shot than people in low-income countries have received a first dose. Addressing this stark inequality is a smart investment. We won’t end the pandemic until the vaccine is everywhere.” 

ENDS