Ammon News - The World Bank decided on Wednesday to boost funding for COVID-19 vaccine purchases to $20 billion from a previous target of $12 billion.

The bank, in a statement, said that the expansion in funding comes in view of the surging demand for vaccine finance for developing countries and to meet the requirements of the current stage as a result of the pandemic.

In a press conference, World Bank President David Malpass said the bank had already provided more than $4 billion to 51 developing countries for the purchase and deployment of COVID-19 vaccines, and would add billions for 25 more countries soon.