Brazil pledges 20 million dollars for vaccine fund

LONDON, Mar 9 (Reuters) Brazil today signed up to British finance minister Gordon Brown's plan to boost funding for vaccinations for children in poor countries, pledging 20 million dollars over 20 years.

The International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) was launched in September with the aim of raising billion to innoculate poor children against killer diseases like malaria, by borrowing money using long-term aid pledges as collateral.

''The new International Finance Facility for Immunisation has the capacity to save millions of lives that would otherwise be needlessly lost,'' said Brown after meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

''That is why I am delighted that President Lula has committed to support this innovative new financing mechanism today.'' Lula said: ''Brazil and the UK understand that our future depends on victory in the struggle against social inequality, and on the elimination of hunger and poverty.'' ''To this effect, Brazil has decided to join the British initiative of creating an International Finance Facility for Immunisation, and will be contributing 20 million dollars over 20 years.'' France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Norway have also contributed to the IFFIm.

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