Bill Gates and others pledge $4.3 billion for vaccines for children in poor countries
Bill Gates, the Microsoft cofounder who has recently been focusing most of his efforts on philanthropy, joined several world leaders to pledge billions for vaccines for children in poor countries.
"This is absolutely human generosity at its finest," Gates told reporters Monday at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization conference in London.
"For the first time in history, children in developing countries will receive the same vaccines against diarrhea and pneumonia as children in rich countries," Gates, who founded the alliance, said, according to Reuters.
Gates and several international donors pledged $4.3 billion to buy vaccines to protect children in poor countries against potentially fatal maladies like pneumonia and diarrhea.
British Prime Minister David Cameron pledged $1.3 billion and said despite his nation's budget cuts, this cause is a no-brainer.
"Frankly, the idea of children dying from pneumonia and diarrhea should be absolutely unthinkable in 2011," Cameron said from the conference. "But for many parents in the developing world it is a devastating reality."
The global alliance has already vaccinated 288 million children in 19 countries and hopes to immunize 243 million more by 2015. It wants to broaden its reach in coming years by going to 26 additional countries.
"Today is an important moment in our collective commitment to protecting children in developing countries from disease," Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said. "But every 20 seconds, a child still dies of a vaccine-preventable disease. There's more work to be done."
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Photo: Bill Gates speaks at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization conference in London. Credit: Paul Hackett / Associated Press
People Bomb oops out of time
Posted by: Global destruction | June 13, 2011 at 05:11 PM
It is very well documented these vaccinations will come with sterilization. Think I am lying, look it up. There is more than one video out there with Gates saying it himself. Too bad the media doesn't have the balls to report it. Then the average idiot would know what is in store for the rest of the over populated world by the elites.
Posted by: Yesser Iwill | June 13, 2011 at 05:16 PM
The harsh truth is that millions will be made to endure a life of poverty and hardship. Gates is removing one of natures checks and balances,bad things will come of it.
Posted by: Lendal Taylor | June 13, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Its better distribute food first than vaccine, vaccine can’t stop a hungry children from being hungry... looking at this children especially in poor countrys you can see that the first thing they need is food..
Posted by: Free Scrapbooking Ideas | June 13, 2011 at 06:54 PM
What about donating to the tornado victims in this country?
Posted by: Jaan | June 13, 2011 at 10:52 PM
it's his money, let him donate it where he wants. the fact that he is so charitable is a wonderful thing. why dont you research the generosity of the Walton family before you make that next trip to walmart.
Posted by: jeff smith | June 14, 2011 at 04:21 AM
He is one classy guy and a true humanitarian. And also his wife. If all the people in this world who are able, would give like he has, think how much better things would be...not perfect but better. Can't believe all the negative comments
Posted by: Diana | June 14, 2011 at 05:24 AM
go to church Bill
Posted by: bottel01 | June 14, 2011 at 08:17 AM