Image: US Embassy [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Government funding pot will support collaborations, manufacturing capability and equitable distribution of vaccines
New Zealand’s government has allocated $37 million to a Covid-19 vaccine strategy that will support local research and aims to give Pacific Islands nations greater access to coronavirus controls and treatment.
The funding will also support international collaborations and aims to build global networks that will support early access to a vaccine. A government statement said the strategy would “be part of a global coalition led by the European Union whereby countries are cooperating to find a vaccine as quickly as possible”.
The initiative was announced on 26 May by foreign minister Winston Peters (pictured), health minister David Clark and Megan Woods, the research, science and innovation minister.
Clark said that $10m would be used to fund NZ research and $5m to develop national manufacturing capability for a vaccine. Up to $15m will support international research collaborations, including projects managed by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
A further $7 million will support aid programmes that distribute vaccines to developing countries.
Peters said that NZ would also advocate internationally for equitable distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine, “with a particular focus on ensuring our Pacific Island partners can access it when needed”.
“The Covid-19 vaccine strategy outlines how New Zealand will contribute to global efforts by ramping up our own capability, working with the international community and supporting our Pacific neighbours in the deployment of a vaccine once it becomes available,” he said.
A government taskforce has been set up to oversee implementation of the strategy and will include independent scientific and technical advisers.
Woods said it was vital for NZ to contribute to international research efforts to develop a Covid-19 vaccine.
“New Zealand has quality researchers and a high-performing research, science and innovation sector with a long history of working with colleagues across the globe to tackle complex global problems.”
She said the strategy would also ensure that NZ had a detailed knowledge of major international research projects and the ability to assess promising vaccine candidates as they emerged.