On 1 February 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia took a decision to support the initiative advanced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to donate 14 400 doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccines to Tunisia, and 150 000 doses of the Janssen vaccines to Bangladesh (50 000), Moldova (80 000) and Ukraine (20 000). The recipients of vaccines have been chosen in line with Latvia’s foreign policy priorities – promoting stability in the neighbouring regions, safeguarding Latvia’s security interests, and fostering cooperation with various regions worldwide.
In a Team Europe effort, the European Union and its Member States have donated 383 million doses of vaccines (247 million doses delivered) by 18 January 2022. 81% of donations have been made via the COVAX Facility, and 19%, bilaterally.
Until 18 January 2022, Latvia has donated 473 070 doses of vaccines to the following countries: Albania (30 000), Benin (80 000), Egypt (115 000), Georgia (83 070), Kenya (55 200), Moldova (30 000), Tunisia (49 800), and Vietnam (30 000).
Latvia has contributed 610 200 doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccines and 105 000 doses of Janssen vaccines for delivery through the COVAX scheme. The first allotment of 48 000 Astra Zeneca vaccines was delivered to Indonesia on 11 January 2022. The next 84 000 doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccines will be sent to Algeria.
In the EU and United Nations formats, Latvia supports the need to share vaccines in order to facilitate global vaccination and support third countries in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background information
COVAX is a global UN-level instrument for the procurement and distribution of vaccines.
Team Europe is the largest contributor to the COVAX Facility: in addition to the vaccines donated, the EU and its Member States have contributed about three billion euros to the initiative. Through the facility, the European Commission is planning to invest one billion euros in the manufacturing of vaccines in Africa. The EU’s contribution to global vaccine solidarity is of key importance for promoting global vaccination and containing the pandemic.