Donate to UNICEF’s #GiveAVax COVID-19 vaccine fund
Inequitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines is leading to the emergence of new variants like Omicron. While more than 84% of eligible Canadians have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine — the situation is very different for families and communities in low-income countries, where only 6% of the population have received at least one dose. We must act swiftly to vaccinate the world against COVID-19, to get ahead of new and more infectious variants of the virus.
As the global leader in vaccine delivery, UNICEF has been tasked with procuring and delivering 2 BILLION doses of COVID-19 vaccines to health workers and high-risk groups in lower-income countries.
We urgently need your help so we can get COVID-19 vaccines to as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. Your donation today will provide support for UNICEF’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts in lower-income countries.
Please donate today to UNICEF’s #GiveAVax Fund to ensure that people around the world have a fair chance at vaccine protection from COVID-19.
HOW MANY DOSES OF VACCINES WILL MY DONATION DELIVER?
The cost of delivering and administering the required two doses of COVID-19 vaccines is about $4.81 per recipient. That means:
- a gift of $14.43 will vaccinate three people
- a gift of $100 will vaccinate approximately 20 people
- a gift of $1,000 will vaccinate more than 200 people
WHAT IS UNICEF’S ROLE IN COVID-19 VACCINES DELIVERY?
UNICEF is the world’s leader in vaccine delivery. We already deliver more than 2 billion vaccines each year to nearly half the world’s children under age 5. Our global presence and expertise in vaccines delivery in challenging environments make us the organization best placed to deliver COVID-19 vaccines equitably and on a global scale.
We are responsible for leading end-to-end supply chain engagement, spanning procurement, international freight, logistics and country readiness, and in-country delivery.
This includes the monumental task of procuring and delivering 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines, along with syringes and safe disposal boxes, from the point of production, to people in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places. It’s an immense logistical challenge, especially considering that the vaccines need to be kept at cold temperatures, and many target areas lack reliable power and transportation routes.
UNICEF is also training local health workers to safely administer COVID-19 vaccines, as well as providing them with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to keep themselves and their communities safe.
Delivering 2 billion COVID-19 vaccines globally is the largest undertaking in the history of immunization — but we can accomplish an equitable vaccine rollout together. Please donate now to give vaccines.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE OMICRON COVID-19 VARIANT?
Scientists in South Africa helped the world by identifying and reporting this latest variant quickly. The earliest cases were detected on November 9th and they reported their findings to the WHO on November 24th, 2021.
We do not know where exactly this new variant emerged, as it is now present in several countries. The Omicron variant has a large number of mutations and preliminary evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of infection.
However, we do know the variant is affecting countries in Africa with fragile healthcare systems. It is essential that the international community support efforts to assist these countries to strengthen the health services that millions of children, mothers and families are depending on for everyday care.
The reality is no one is safe from COVID-19 until everyone is safe. Protecting high-income countries alone will not allow life to return to normal. The more opportunities the virus has to spread anywhere in the world, the more chances it has to mutate, allowing new variants to emerge. We are in a race against time and we need to act swiftly to vaccinate as many people globally as possible.
HOW ELSE IS UNICEF RESPONDING TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?
UNICEF is in more than 190 countries and territories, partnering with the World Health Organization (WHO) and frontline responders to keep children healthy, learning and safe, no matter who they are or where they live.
In 2020, generous people like you helped us:
- Support more than 301 million children with remote learning
- Assist more than 405 thousand schools with implementing safe school protocols to help mitigate COVID-19 transmission
- Reach more than 106 million people with critical water, sanitation and hygiene supplies
- Train more than 4 million healthcare workers in infection prevention and control
- Ship more than 195.3 million gloves; 200 million surgical masks; 15 million N95 respirators; 5.7 million gowns; 1.1 million goggles; 2.7 million face shields; 16,795 oxygen concentrators; and 3.3 million molecular diagnostics to 139 countries
- Reach 3 billion people with COVID-19 prevention messaging
WHY DOES UNICEF NEED MY HELP NOW?
Vaccines save lives, but to end the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines must be distributed equitably. With new COVID-19 variant cases surging around the world, and with several effective vaccines approved for emergency use, there’s not a moment to lose. Millions of people in hard-hit countries are still waiting for their first dose. The sooner we can deliver COVID-19 vaccines to everyone, the sooner the pandemic will stop having devastating impacts on the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people — including children, who have suffered its effects on every aspect of their childhood.
HOW WILL MY DONATION HELP CHILDREN?
COVID-19 is a child rights crisis that is threatening children’s safety, health and well-being. Globally, 214 million children – or 1 in 7 – have missed more than three-quarters of their in-person learning due to COVID-19 related school closures during the past year. This can have immediate and long-term consequences for children’s education, safety and mental health.
Without the safety net of school and other social services, children are at risk of exploitation, neglect and abuse. In some cases, they might need to forego their childhood in order to care for a sick parent, or work to supplement the family income.
Routine immunizations, treatment for severe acute malnutrition and other life-saving interventions were put on hold or shut down due to social distancing requirements and logistical and supply challenges. When immunizations are interrupted for more than a few weeks, increasing numbers of children are at-risk of contracting preventable diseases such as measles.
By donating to UNICEF Canada, Canadians have the opportunity to make a difference and support the vaccination of millions of people around the world. Together, we can get vaccines to those who need them most and save lives. Donate now to #GiveAVax.