As G7 leaders gather in Cornwall this weekend, a new YouGov poll, commissioned by the International Rescue Committee, finds overwhelming support amongst the British public for the rollout of vaccines in poorer countries. 

Polling 1725 UK adults, it was found that 76% of British people believe that the UK government should support the vaccination of vulnerable people in poorer countries, with 71% of people polled in favour of vaccinating refugees and displaced people around the world against Covid-19.

This follows big announcements from countries at the G7, including a pledge by Boris Johnson to donate 100 million vaccine doses within the next year. Rich countries, such as the US and the UK, have purchased enough doses to vaccinate their populations more than two times over.

However, in the face of emerging variants and rising cases in poorer countries, with billions of people unlikely to receive a vaccine this year, it is clear that G7 leaders need to do more to tackle the pandemic. What is more, this commitment by the UK is undermined by the cuts to vital health services resulting from the cuts to UK Aid - damaging the UK's credibility when they are seeking to lead by example.

The IRC is calling for G7 countries to redouble their support for the COVAX Facility, commit funding toward vaccine distribution, and support efforts to increase manufacturing - including waiving IP rights. 

Daphne Jayasinghe, Head of Policy for the International Rescue Committee, said:

“Vaccine inequality has never been more stark. Whilst nearly 70 million vaccinations have been delivered in the UK, the majority of people around the world have little hope of receiving a vaccine for the foreseeable future. 

It is clear that the British public wants their Government to do more to support other countries. This is in the British interest. No one will be safe here until vaccines are made accessible for all.”