The international aid organisation CARE welcomes US President Joe Biden’s goal for 70% of the world to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2022, but warns the current pace of action is not enough to achieve such a vision.

President Biden announced the goal at the Global COVID Summit this week.

CARE Australia CEO, Peter Walton, said: “The current roadmap to achieve the 70% target is not bold enough and will not get us there.

“The target of US $10 billion to support global vaccine delivery is a small start. CARE’s analysis shows the true global cost of getting the vaccine from the tarmac into people’s arms, and properly supporting healthcare and frontline workers would cost upward of US $190 billion.”

Currently only 2 per cent of people in low-income countries are vaccinated.

Mr Walton said: “Targets and pledges must be turned into action – now, not next year.

“We must work together to go above and beyond the targets set at the summit in order to save lives, rebuild resiliency, and achieve 70% vaccination over the next year. Words alone will not end this pandemic.”

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