Bill Gates pledges $10 bln for vaccines for poor

"We must make this the decade of vaccines, " said Gates at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. "Vaccines already save and improve millions of lives in developing countries.

"Innovation will make it possible to save more children than ever before."

Increased vaccination could save more than eight million children by 2020, he added, but said more money was needed and called on governments and the private sector to do more.

"Increased investment in vaccines by governments and the private sector could help developing countries dramatically reduce child mortality by the end of the decade, " Bill and Melinda Gates said in a statement.

Melinda Gates, who heads the couple's Foundation with her husband, added: "Vaccines are a miracle -- with just a few doses, they can prevent deadly diseases for a lifetime.

"We've made vaccines our number-one priority at the Gates Foundation because we've seen firsthand their incredible impact on children's lives, " she added at the annual meeting of political and business leaders in the Swiss ski resort.

© Copyright AFP Agence France-Presse GmbH - All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. All reproduction or redistribution is expressly forbidden without the prior written agreement of AFP.

« wróć

• Australia's Power wins IndyCar opener»
• Warner and KKR consider EMI break-up bid: report»
• 'Hit teams' attack US consular staff, families in Mexico: US»
• Growing doubts over standard prostate cancer test»
• Disney to close Robert Zemeckis's digital studio»
• US court rejects vaccine-autism link»
• Alleged Al-Qaeda man worked at US nuclear power plant»
• California prosecutor sues Toyota for hiding defects»
• Apple begins taking iPad orders in US»
• Social networks a challenge to cable news: CNN US president»
• US probes runaway Toyota Prius»
• Solar power could provide 10 percent of US energy: report»
• Toyota Prius in California runaway road drama»
• Obama stages populist battle on health reform»
• Anti-gay protestors under Supreme Court scrutiny»
• Hours before execution, US inmate attempts suicide in cell»
• AIG set for $15.5 bln deal with MetLife: report»
• US to allow web service exports to strict nations»
• Ad campaign urges Obama to hold firm on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed trial»
• Hollywood on edge as Oscars countdown begins»