Millions of people in the UK have now received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. We are thankful to God for the rapid roll out of a vaccination programme that has brought us hope for the end of this pandemic. It is estimated that most lower-income countries will only be able to vaccinate one in ten people in 2021¹, and that millions of people will have to wait until at least 2022 for a vaccination².

Ending vaccine inequality

The only way out of this pandemic is to recover together – no country is safe until all countries are safe. 

We love our global neighbours and refuse to let people living in poverty be left behind. As followers of Jesus, we are committed to following his example of loving and caring for all people – ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40).

That’s why we have partnered with the People’s Vaccine Alliance to campaign for everyone in every country to have fair and free access to a tested Covid-19 vaccine. 

We are advocating for the rights of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. For example, our local church partners appealed to the Colombian government to not overlook Venezuelan refugees in their upcoming vaccination programme, and we are asking the UK government to do even more to support lower-income countries.

We are also helping prepare communities for the roll out of a vaccine, including equipping faith leaders around the world to dispel myths and share accurate information about the Covid-19 vaccines in their communities. 

In the meantime, it is crucial that we continue our work to prevent the spread of coronavirus amongst those living in poverty as they wait for a vaccine.

Throughout the pandemic we have been working with local churches and organisations in more than 50 countries to identify and support the most vulnerable. We urgently need your help to continue this life-saving work – before, during and after vaccines become available.

Loving our neighbours

We are so privileged to live in the UK where we have relatively easy access to a Covid-19 vaccine. Maybe you’ve already received your vaccine, or are soon to do so. Please consider giving a gift to help our global neighbours who still have a long wait for a vaccine.

£65 could empower 50 households to lift themselves out of poverty through training in new farming skills.

£72 could train five church leaders to share accurate information about Covid-19 vaccines in their communities.

¹ https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/campaigners-warn-9-out-10-people-poor-countries-are-set-miss-out-covid-19-vaccine

² https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/much-of-the-world-may-not-have-access-to-a-covid-19-vaccine-until-2022/