The leading short-form video platform, TikTok, announced today that it will be donating US$10 million to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance for immunisation drives across Africa.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate half the world’s children against some of the world’s deadliest diseases.
This donation will go towards supporting efforts for routine vaccinations against existing infectious diseases in Africa. Also, it will serve in the future deployment of COVID-19 vaccines.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match this donation through its support to the Gavi Matching Fund; a public-private funding mechanism which incentivises private sector investments in immunisation. This brings the total package of support to US$ 20 million.
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In light of the global COVID-19 outbreak, TikTok has committed itself to supporting communities the coronavirus crisis has impacted; in ways that are positive and beneficial.
The TikTok donation will help build a sustainable immunisation programme. It will do so by ensuring the continuity of existing vaccines even amidst disruption the COVID-19 pandemic has caused.
In addition to that, it will ensure equal access to future COVID-19 vaccines; contributing to strengthening Africa’s health systems in general.
In addition to supporting immunisation in Africa, TikTok has also continued to support front line medical workers, educators, and local communities affected by COVID-19; both on and off the platform through various financial and educational efforts.
TikTok recently partnered with Red Cross South Africa to launch the #WashingHands campaign which shared health and safety tips with the community and launched the #Love2Learn campaign in partnership with UNICEF South Africa which encouraged creative learning at home.