Officials are stepping up efforts to reach some of the world's most remote regions in a global vaccination drive, as the world crosses 1 billion total COVID-19 vaccines administered.
The big picture: Most doses have gone to rich countries so far, but President Biden's pledge to soon export 60 million doses could be a global game-changer. The WHO is pushing to increase trust and investment in vaccines during World Immunization Week, which runs until Friday, with the message that "vaccines bring us closer."
People line up to receive a coronavirus vaccine dose at a vaccination centre in Mumbai, India, on April 27. The U.S. and other nations have been sending India supplies as the country faces a record COVID surge. Photo: Punit Paranjpe/AFP via Getty Images
A man being inoculated against the coronavirus in Moku, Para State, Brazil, on April 17. Photo: Joao Paulo Guimaraes/AFP via Getty Images
Patrolling soldiers pass a masked child in Antananarivo, Madagascar, during a weekend lockdown April 24, a day after the government said the country was due to receive a first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines, as the Indian Ocean island nation's health care system struggles with a second wave. Photo: Rijasolo/AFP via Getty Images
An elderly woman unable to travel to the nearest health center is vaccinated against Covid-19 at home on Elafonissos Island April 23. The southern Greek island is declaring itself COVID-free ahead of the opening of the tourist season on May 14. The island's mayor told AFP on April 27 that 70% of the island's residents should have received doses by then. Photo: Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images
COVID-19 vaccines are unloaded from an aircraft at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Botswana, on March 27. Government officials said on April 26 the 2 million doses they've acquired is enough to inoculate the country's entire population, per Voice of America. Photo: Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua via Getty Images
A Wixarica indigenous woman is inoculated against the coronavirus at a vaccination center installed in Nuevo Colonia, in Mezquitic, Jalisco state, Mexico, April 16. She and others from her region were walking for up to four hours from their communities to receive doses. Photo: Ulises Ruiz/AFP via Getty Images