The One World Centre charity is launching a ’Jumble for Jabs’ campaign to encourage people to help provide Covid-19 vaccines for poorer countries around the world by holding jumble sales.
The first jumble sale will take place this Saturday (June 5) at Promenade Methodist Church in Douglas from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Money raised will go to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Foundation’s Go Give One scheme which supports COVAX, an international alliance to buy and supply vaccines to 92 countries, prioritising those who need them the most in countries that cannot afford them.
The charity noted that while the island has been one of the most successful nations in terms of its vaccination programme, many other countries are struggling to get off the ground or to reach remote rural areas through lack of access to the vaccine or poor infrastructure in the area.
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It also pointed out that according to the WHO, at present only 0.3% of vaccine supply is going to low-income countries, while richer countries are ’racing far ahead’ in the number of people vaccinated with ’many also expected to have far more [vaccine] supplies than they will need’.
Wendy Shimmin of the One World Centre said: ’Here in the island we are lucky to have been provided with free Covid-19 vaccinations through our NHS and there will be enough supplies for every adult to have the vaccinations if they want them.
’Elsewhere in the world, people are not so fortunate and there are areas where even health workers and the most vulnerable in the population are not able to get this protection.
’We hope that people in the island will be glad to help others elsewhere - we can all play a part in ensuring vaccine equity for everyone whether that is through individual donations or organising events at home or at work.
’Every £4 provides a vaccine so even small amounts can make a real difference.
Clare Barber MHK, who is supporting the campaign, said: ’The vaccine rollout in the island is to be celebrated, however, it is important that we seek to support those nations who have not been able to advance their vaccine programmes so quickly, and whose citizens remain vulnerable to the threat of Covid-19.’
Mrs Barber added that ’Jumble for Jabs’ would allow the island to ’continue to play its part on the world stage’.