• New UK support to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to protect up to 75 million children against deadly diseases like measles, polio and typhoid
• By vaccinating millions of children against other deadly diseases, we are supporting the world’s poorest countries so they can cope with rising coronavirus cases
• Gavi has so far helped vaccinate more than 760 million children, preventing more than 13 million deaths

The UK today confirmed that it will be the largest supporter of the international alliance to vaccinate children against deadly diseases, saving millions of lives.

Speaking to MPs, International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan announced a funding pledge equivalent of £330 million a year over the next five years to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which will help fund immunisation of 75 million children in the world’s poorest countries.

Preventable diseases, like measles, polio and typhoid, still kill hundreds of thousands of people each year. By vaccinating millions of children against other deadly diseases, we are supporting healthcare systems in the world’s poorest countries so they can cope with rising coronavirus cases. Health experts have warned that if coronavirus is left to spread in developing countries, this could lead to the virus re-emerging in the UK later in the year and put further pressure on our NHS.

International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

“The coronavirus pandemic shows us now more than ever the vital role vaccines play in protecting us all. By supporting Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, we are helping stop the spread of infectious diseases, saving millions of lives and keeping Britain safe.

“As coronavirus vaccine trials begin, we need to make sure any successful vaccine will be available to everyone. Gavi will be integral to achieving this, so we can protect the UK and the NHS from future waves of infection.”

The UK has been a longstanding donor to Gavi since its formation in 2000. With the support of over 25 other countries such as Norway, Italy and the United States, the Vaccine Alliance has since immunised over 760 million children, saving more than 13 million lives.

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said:

“When the world beats the COVID-19 pandemic and life returns to normal, Gavi – and the UK’s support of it – will be a major reason why. Gavi has spent the last 20 years delivering vaccines to the world’s poorest countries. They’ve been incredibly effective, and with this new funding, they’ll be able to continue their work when a COVID vaccine is ready. Today, the UK is being generous and thinking global, which also happens to be the best way to fight disease.”

Today’s announcement comes as the UK recently announced that the Global Vaccine Summit on 4 June will go ahead as a virtual summit, hosted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It will bring countries together, to follow the UK’s lead, in stepping up and funding Gavi’s work to save millions of lives and help prevent and address future pandemics.

The UK is leading international efforts to find a coronavirus vaccine, as the largest donor to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)’s coronavirus appeal. Thanks to this investment, future coronavirus vaccines will be made available at the lowest possible price to the NHS.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chair of the Gavi Board said:

“Gavi’s work has never been more important. Right now it is playing a vital role both keeping immunisation programmes going across the world, reducing the chances of there being further global disease outbreaks, as well as helping developing countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As long as there are still pockets of this disease somewhere, everywhere is at risk. This pledge will make a huge difference to these efforts and I’d like to thank the UK, as Gavi’s biggest donor since its inception, for their leadership over the past two decades.”

Dr Seth Berkley, CEO of Gavi said:

“I’d like to thank the UK public for this pledge: an investment in Gavi is an investment in a safer, healthier world. This funding will not only protect hundreds of millions of children against disease, it will also help health systems to repair and rebuild after the enormous impact of COVID-19 has subsided.

This is our best shield against future pandemics which, as we have seen all too clearly in recent months, do not respect borders. Finally, it means we can continue our work leading international efforts to ensure universal access to a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as to maintain the infrastructure needed to deploy it at scale around the world, which offers our best means of ending this crisis.”

Since coronavirus hit, Sellafield Ltd employee Shona Cunningham has been working tirelessly to raise funds for NHS and care services in West Cumbria.

In just over a month, she has managed to raise more than £15,000.

Shona was quick to volunteer, and recognised the importance of community efforts to support those working to protect our lives.

Shona said:

After seeing and hearing about the pressures on our services at the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak I knew I had to do something to try and help the workers on the frontline.

To do her bit, Shona has been raising money for care packs for the NHS and care workers across Cumbria. The packages include items such as chocolate, cereal bars, porridge pots, crisps and energy drinks. Others included toiletry products to support employees who are not staying in their own homes due to Coronavirus.

Fundraising activities have included live social media workouts, street bingo and bike rides.

In addition, Layla-May Finley who lives in Thornhill has been making rainbow door bows and has raised an amazing £7,000 which she has also donated to Shona’s fundraiser.

What started as an office collection has grown exponentially. Since Shona started the JustGiving page she has raised thousands to support the key workers.

Support has come from countless organisations and individuals including OneAIM, PCR Richardson and Unite.

To date well over 1,000 meals. 400 care parcels and lots of other items have been delivered to over 100 places in the county for our frontline workers by Shona and her small team of helpers.

In the future, funds will also be used to pay for nurses £120 registration fees. The level of gratitude Shona has received has been astounding.

North West Ambulance Service Cumbria tweeted:

Shona Cunningham dropped all of these goodies off for us tonight after taking it upon herself to arrange a collection in her office at Sellafield. From the money collected she has made hampers for all local services facing this fight, we are so grateful.

West Cumberland Hospital messaged and said:

Thank you so much from us all at A&E, the support from you all is amazing and much appreciated at this difficult time.

She said:

These workers are facing some of their most challenging shifts, so I thought I could put together some care packages to help make their shifts a little bit easier. It is a small gesture to show they’re appreciated and we’re all grateful for everything they do.

I originally had a target of £500, the level of support I’ve received has been amazing.

If you are considering helping out in the community, go for it. Being told that someone appreciates what you have done and that is making a difference to their day to day lives is so rewarding.

Shona works as part of the Business Management team within Project Delivery which is led by Neil Crewdson. He said:

Shona saw this as an opportunity to help our NHS and carers in the community before Sellafield Ltd formally asked for support from our employees, which shows the kind of person she is. She always goes above and beyond and will help anyone if she is able to.

I’m incredibly proud of Shona and all of our community volunteers for everything that they are doing to support local key workers. We all need to come together in times like this and these efforts are making a real difference for so many people.

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• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Do not meet others, even friends or family.

You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.