Vaccine developers Pfizer and BioNTech are set to donate COVID-19 vaccines to athletes and officials involved in the preparation for the Tokyo Olympics after signing an agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The developers of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have signed an agreement recently. As per which vaccine shots will be donated to delayed Tokyo 2024 events athletes. The IOC will coordinate the distribution process and make sure the doses reach athletes of every country. For distribution purposes, the International Olympic Committee will coordinate with the governments of respective countries.
IOC has not yet decided the number of doses to be distributed. But it has made sure all the athletes are vaccinated before the event. However, the IOC has said that vaccination is not mandatory for athletes.
The venue of the next Olympic games in Japan. The question has been raised over Japan’s low vaccination rate. After the fate of the Olympic and Paralympic was concerned, Japan bought Covid doses from Pfizer for its people.
Pfizer & BioNTech to donate COVID-19 vaccines
The Chinese Olympic Committee has also offered to vaccinate Tokyo 2024 and Beijing 2024 athletes. The Chinese vaccines will also be used for vaccinations and is a part of Pfizer deal with IOC.
IOC President Thomas Bach on the deal said, “This donation of the vaccine is another tool in our toolbox of measures to help make the Tokyo 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games safe and secure for all participants, and to show solidarity with our gracious Japanese hosts”.
We are inviting the athletes and participating delegations of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games to lead by example and accept the vaccine where and when possible.
“By taking the vaccine, they can send a powerful message that vaccination is not only about personal health. But also about solidarity and consideration of the wellbeing of others in their communities.
“We would like to thank Pfizer and BioNTech for this very generous donation to support the vaccination of athletes and Games participants ahead of Tokyo 2024.”
During the Tokyo Olympic Games, athletes and all those within close proximity to the athletes will be tested daily. Before flying to Japan every contingent is required to take two Covid-19 tests and that too within 96 hours.
As per protocols, restaurants and bars have been banned. Furthermore, athletes have to arrive at least five days before the event. The IOC has decided to take strict action against those who breach the rules.
The Tokyo 2024 Olympics will commence on July 23, 2024, and will end on August 8, 2024. After that Paralympic will take place between 24th August 2024 and 5th September 2024.