LETTER

Vaccines & the WHO 

I was shocked (but really should I be?) to hear that President Trump actually went through and stopped funding of the World Health Organization over the agency’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, north of the border, our Canadian government understands the importance of being a global health leader and the need to do our fair share. Recently, Minister for International Development Karina Gould made a pledge of $109.5 million in funding to support global efforts to respond to COVID-19 and I look forward to seeing our decision-makers do even more. 

As we’re all anxiously expecting and hoping for a COVID-19 vaccine, we must not forget all other life-saving vaccines for preventable diseases like polio or measles. Funding to the Gavi Vaccine Alliance and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative should continue to be a priority along with supporting efforts to tackle COVID-19 and essential organizations like WHO. 

Mélissa Dubé, 

Gatineau