Support COVAX and Vaccine Access for All through World Microbe Forum
Washington, D.C. – June 1, 2021 – Inspired by the interconnected nature of science, which knows no borders, The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) are excited to announce that COVAX, a multi-partner initiative that aims to ensure worldwide equitable vaccine access, is the official charity of World Microbe Forum. Scientists overcame immense obstacle to create a vaccine, and we, as global citizens, have the potential to finish the job and protect everyone against COVID-19 by supporting COVAX. Join the global microbial community to advance this cause, using microbiology to better society.Co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi and the World Health Organization (WHO), alongside key delivery partner UNICEF, COVAX aims to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, guaranteeing fair and equitable access for people in every country in the world. Attendees of the World Microbe Forum will be able to donate toward COVAX’s activities, and ASM will contribute 100% of the donations made specifically to the COVAX initiative during the month of June to this effort.
“Leveraging our position as the convener of key stakeholders and thought leaders in the microbial sciences, ASM is proud to bring together microbiologists to contribute to this essential initiative. It is critical that everyone across our global community receives access to the COVID-19 vaccine; this is the only way to safeguard our collective health,” said Stefano Bertuzzi, CEO, ASM.
“COVAX's efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines make it the obvious choice as the nominated charity for the World Microbe Forum, which will serve as a forum to present, share and discuss much of the recent work on COVID-19 epidemiology and immunology,” said Matthew Harvey, Managing Director, FEMS. “It is imperative that we as the global scientific community work together to find joint solutions to the world’s problems, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”
World Microbe Forum, a collaboration between the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), and several other societies, is breaking barriers to sharing science and addressing the most pressing challenges facing humankind today. This year, two of the biggest meetings in microbiology, ASM Microbe and FEMS Congress 2021, are joining forces for this unique event. Microbes know no borders, and neither should microbiologists.
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The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of 30,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.
ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to diverse audiences.
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FEMS is a pan-European scientific body campaigning to get science - and microbiology in particular - on the European agenda. It was set up in 1974 to promote microbiology across Europe, and today we are a growing coalition of over 50 member societies from 38 countries. We bring together around 30,000 professional microbiologists who are exploring microbiology and its impact on the world, and we are working with similar organizations elsewhere to make our network global.
Members can apply for grants and/or support when organizing a meeting. FEMS facilitates exchange of scientific knowledge to all microbiologists in Europe and worldwide by publishing seven microbiology journals and organizing a biennial congress for microbiologists around the world.
