According to an indicative distribution forecast announced by Global Vaccines Alliance (GAVI), Malawi will receive 1,476,000 doses of the AZD1222 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca in partnership with Oxford University.

The UK was an early donor to COVAX, and one of the largest, contributing £548million to the Advanced Market Commitment (AMC), which ensures that countries such as Malawi can receive vaccines for free.

The UK is at the forefront of efforts to drive global collaboration and resourcing to develop and deliver new vaccines. Coronavirus vaccines need to be manufactured at scale, affordably priced, and available fairly throughout the world to those who need them most. No-one can be left behind.

High Commissioner David Beer said: “Covid-19 is a global pandemic that needs global cooperation for a solution. No country is safe until the virus is under control everywhere. This is why the UK is proud to stand with Malawi and other countries so that those who need vaccines can get them. Through COVAX, to which the UK has committed over half a billion pounds, Malawi is due to receive almost one and a half million doses that can protect frontline workers and the most vulnerable, and start to bring the pandemic under control.”