UNICEF Canada’s #GiveAVax campaign provides a unique opportunity

@ Ahmad Malik

With almost 80 per cent of Toronto adults having received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, the light at the end of the tunnel looks brighter than ever. However, the situation is very different for families and communities in low-income countries, where less than 1 per cent of vaccines have been administered.

Today, David Morley, President and CEO of UNICEF Canada, Minister of International Development Karina Gould, Toronto Mayor John Tory, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa and Councillor Joe Cressy gathered to ask Canadians to #GiveAVax to help end the pandemic for everyone, everywhere.

UNICEF Canada’s #GiveAVax campaign provides a unique opportunity for Canadians to help UNICEF deliver life-saving vaccines to health workers and high-risk groups in lower-income countries around the world. Over the summer, the Government of Canada will match donations dollar for dollar up to $10 million to UNICEF Canada, meaning that donations will go twice as far to save lives.

As new and more infectious variants of the virus emerging, the world is in a race against time to vaccinate as many people as possible. The pandemic will not end for anyone until it ends for everyone, warns UNICEF Canada.

In a recent poll, 85 per cent of Canadians agreed that it is important COVID-19 vaccines are distributed fairly to all countries and two-thirds of Canadians said they want Canada to take a leadership role in ensuring vaccine access for all. #GiveAVax allows Canadians who are vaccinated to pay it forward and donate to UNICEF’s efforts.

As the global leader in vaccine delivery, UNICEF has been tasked by the COVAX Facility with delivering 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to countries around the globe before the end of the year.

Canadians can donate to #GiveAVax by visiting unicef.ca or by texting “VACCINES” to 45678 to donate $10.