Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced yesterday the country will donate 1 million AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine doses to African countries through the international COVAX mechanism. Israel had signed on as supporter of the COVAX partnership about a year ago, but so far did not participate actively in donating vaccine doses through this specific mechanism.

In its announcement, the Foreign Ministry noted that in recent months, Israel has strengthened its relations with African countries, including Israel’s return last July to observer status in the African Union (AU). The significant donation of vaccines, which will reach close to a quarter of the continent's countries, will contribute to strengthening ties between Israel and these countries, said the announcement.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid tweeted, "In the coming weeks, Israel will send 1 million AstraZeneca vaccines to African countries through COVAX, the international mechanism for the equitable distribution of vaccines. I’m happy that Israel can contribute and be a partner in eradicating this pandemic from the world."

The global vaccine distribution mechanism COVAX, centered in Geneva, works for the procurement and equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines, serving as a humanitarian buffer. It aims at ensuring access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, focusing on developing countries and on vulnerable populations. Its main executive partners are the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and the World Health Organization, with some 90 countries supporting the initiative.