The World Bank has approved its first COVID-19 Vaccine project by re-allocating the sum of US$34 million under the existing Lebanon Health Resilience Project to support vaccines for Lebanon.
The Lebanese Republic faces an unprecedented surge in COVID-19, with record-breaking numbers of around 5,500 daily confirmed cases since the beginning of the year.
This is the first World Bank-financed operation to fund the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines. The financing will provide vaccines for over 2 million individuals. The vaccines are expected to arrive in Lebanon by early February 2021.
.@WorldBank has approved its first #COVID19 #vaccine project. It will fund the procurement of vaccines for over 2 million of #Lebanon's people. https://t.co/FpfiTnRFwd pic.twitter.com/ShTX8TW4bZ
— World Bank (@WorldBank) January 21, 2021
In addition to the human toll, the pandemic is exacerbating the economic crisis in the aftermath of the Port of Beirut explosion last August. This vaccine rollout will target priority groups: high risk health workers, population above 65 years of age, epidemiological and surveillance staff, and population between 55-64 years with co-morbidities. By prioritizing these groups, the country’s vaccination program has the potential to reduce the consequences of the pandemic, even in conditions of supply constraints.
“Fair, broad, and fast access to COVID-19 vaccines is critical to protecting lives and supporting economic recovery.
“This is an important first operation and I look forward to continuing our support to many more countries in their vaccination efforts. Our goal remains to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in order to save lives and improve livelihoods,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass.
Amaka E. Nliam
