The Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) will earmark US $1 million to create a strategic vaccine reserve in preparation for potential future pandemics or disease outbreaks, according to Ambassador Lionel Hurst, Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office.

During Thursday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, Hurst said the initiative represented a proactive approach to public health emergency preparedness following lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This comes as the Trump administration has sought to pull the United States out of funding key UN bodies such as the World Health Organisation over claims the international body failed to adequately address the coronavirus in the early stages.

The allocation also comes as countries worldwide continue to strengthen pandemic preparedness systems following the global disruption caused by COVID-19, which highlighted vulnerabilities in vaccine distribution, particularly for smaller nations.

“We’re setting aside funds because if a pandemic occurs and we’re no longer getting support from WHO and we have to do it ourselves, we’re going to have to put money in,” Hurst explained.

The funds will act as a financial buffer, enabling Antigua and Barbuda to rapidly procure vaccines if another health crisis emerges, without solely relying on international aid organizations for supply.

While the financial reserve is being established independently, Hurst emphasized that vaccine procurement would be coordinated with regional health authorities including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The strategy builds on the successful model of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Pharmaceutical Procurement Service, which allows member states to purchase medicines collectively at reduced prices through economies of scale.

“The OECS purchases medicines collectively in order to reduce the price individually, and we have succeeded at this. It’s one of the great examples of collaboration between sovereign states trying to make conditions better for the lives of their citizens,” Hurst said.