REUTERS
September 16, 2020 at 15:15 JST
Japan said on Tuesday it has committed 17.2 billion yen ($165 million) in funds for its participation in the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 vaccine program.
The program, known as COVAX, is aimed at helping buy and fairly distribute vaccination shots against the novel coronavirus around the world. But some countries which have secured their own supplies through bilateral deals, including the United States, have said they will not join.
The funds are part of a 1.64 trillion-yen reserve intended to bolster the government’s response to the virus, a government document showed.
Japan has also pursued independent arrangements with global pharmaceutical companies to secure vaccines, with the government pledging to have enough supply for the whole population by the first half of 2021.
The COVAX program has set a Sept. 18 deadline for contributions.
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