WASHINGTON — The ONE Campaign issued the below statement today in response to the announcement that the Biden administration will host a virtual global COVID-19 summit during the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week. According to the WHO, less than 2% of adults are fully vaccinated in most low-income countries compared to almost 50% in high‑income countries. 

Jenny Ottenhoff, Senior Policy Director, Global Health at ONE:

“This far into the pandemic, wealthy countries’ actions have not matched the ambition needed to end this pandemic. It’s critical that this summit is not just a flash in the pan but the start of a full-force, coordinated effort to combat this pandemic globally. That includes clear, timebound commitments to get vaccines to Africa and low-income countries everywhere. Everyone is on the hook to deliver. The sooner our leaders develop a global plan to combat this pandemic, the sooner it will end for everyone.

“We applaud President Biden’s efforts to host this summit and increase global collaboration to end COVID-19 which will help save lives, reduce the emergence of variants, and limit the spread of this deadly virus.”