Two Years Into the Pandemic, Congress Eliminates Global Vaccine Funding

10 March 2022

Yesterday, the US Congress passed a spending bill which eliminated funding for global vaccine access. This comes two years after the global pandemic was announced. Jesuit Refugee Service/USA expresses deep concern for this decision and advocate that all around our world, most especially those who are forcibly displaced, can have access to the life saving medicine.

“JRS/USA is deeply concerned that Congress eliminated funding for global COVID vaccine access and equity from the FY22 Omnibus Appropriations Bill,” said Joan Rosenhauer, Executive Director of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. “As we approach the second anniversary of the WHO declaration of a pandemic, we are more aware than ever that none of us will be safe from the disease unless all of us are safe. The US must provide leadership among developed countries to provide the funds needed for a sufficient quantity of vaccines globally and for the delivery systems to get them to those in greatest need, including refugees. We urge Congress to approve immediate funding for global COVID vaccine distribution.”

JRS supports refugees around the world whose access to vaccines is critical to their health and the health of our global community.

As we approach the second anniversary of the WHO declaration of a pandemic, we are more aware than ever that none of us will be safe from the disease unless all of us are safe.