Harry & Meghan Mark Archie's 2nd Birthday with Call for Vaccine Equity

Happy Birthday, Archie! Harry and Meghan's baby boy is two years old today. The Duke and Duchess spent the day celebrating at their Montecito home and shared this photo of Archie clutching balloons in the garden this morning.

In celebration of their son's birthday, the Duke and Duchess added a new post on Archewell to share how "deeply touched" they have been over the past two years in feeling "warmth and support" for their family. The couple continued: "Many of you donate to charities on his behalf, and mark the occasion by giving back or doing an act of service -- all through the goodness of your hearts. You raise funds for those who need it most, and continue to do so organically and selflessly. We remain incredibly grateful."

One particularly notable effort run by Sussex Community Events saw $50,000 raised by supporters for Homeboy Industries, the Mission Continues, Baby2Baby and the Loveland Foundation.

For Archie's birthday, the couple are asking people to join the call for vaccine equity.

'This year, our world continues to be on the path to recovery from COVID-19. Yet too many families are still struggling with the impact of this pandemic. While some places are on the verge of healing, in so many parts of the world, communities continue to suffer. As of today, around 80 percent of the nearly one billion COVID-19 vaccine shots that have been given were administered in wealthier countries. While we may feel that normalcy is around the corner, we remind ourselves that in much of the world, and especially in developing countries, vaccine distribution has effectively yet to start. 

We will not be able to truly recover until everyone, everywhere, has equal access to the vaccine. And with that intention, we are inviting you to contribute whatever you can—if you have the means to do so—to bring vaccines to families in the world’s most vulnerable places. 

For a donation of just $5, you can cover the cost of a dose for someone in need. And because we were able to secure matching support from a number of organizations, that $5 you give will automatically turn into $20—covering the cost of four doses. Every single dollar counts—not only will it help save lives but it will help save families and communities.'

Harry and Meghan closed by writing, "We cannot think of a more resonant way to honor our son’s birthday. If we all show up, with compassion for those we both know and don’t know, we can have a profound impact. Even a small contribution can have a ripple effect. Together, we can uplift, protect, and care for one another."

Archewell notes they "in partnership with Global Citizen and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are working to ensure that people in all corners of the world can get equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of their wealth or circumstance. A donation of $5 will cover the cost of a single dose for someone in need, and your donation will be made to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which buys COVID-19 vaccines for the world, prioritizing those who need them the most in countries that cannot afford them. There is no minimum donation—every dollar counts. As part of this initiative, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Global Citizen have secured matching donations of up to $3 million from organizations including the Seadream Family Foundation and Mastercard Impact Fund. That means if you give $5, it will turn into $20, which is the amount needed to fund four vaccine doses".

For the next ten days, if you would like to donate $5, your gift will be multiplied by four. Click here if you would like to make a donation.

Additionally, in their roles as Vax Live Campaign Chairs, they have shared an open letter calling on the CEOs of Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca, Novovax and Johnson & Johnson to commit to ensuring vaccine equity is made a reality.

'To Albert Bourla, CEO Pfizer; Stéphane Bancel, CEO Moderna; Pascal Soriot, CEO AstraZeneca; Alex Gorsky, CEO Johnson & Johnson; Stanley Erck, CEO Novavax:

The world owes you gratitude for leading the successful development and manufacturing of safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19. This was achieved in record time, amidst a once-in-a-century global pandemic. It’s truly a testament to what can be achieved when partners work together towards a shared goal. 

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health, social, and economic inequality globally. The global vaccine rollout thus far further deepens these disparities, with the poorest and most marginalized populations most adversely impacted. As of May 1, over 80% of the 1.2 billion vaccine doses administered globally have occurred in high-and upper-middle-income countries while the very lowest-income countries have administered just 0.4%.

As we are seeing in countries like India, the urgency to deliver doses now to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19 is only increasing. That’s why it is imperative that we ensure equitable vaccine access globally so that people are protected, economies can recover, and this global pandemic can be brought to an end everywhere. 

Therefore we, the undersigned, stand with Global Citizens who want to see COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers act with extraordinary purpose, responsibility, and leadership in response to this equity crisis, including through the following actions:

Moderna — We are pleased to see Moderna finally join the global vaccine initiative, COVAX, but the world’s poorest countries cannot wait until the end of the year to access your life-saving vaccine. We therefore call on you to move up your delivery schedule with COVAX and increase the promised 2021 volume to at least 100 million doses.

Pfizer — To date, Pfizer/BioNTech have only promised 40 million doses to COVAX, the fewest among vaccine producers. We call on you to commit at least 100 million additional doses to COVAX at a not-for-profit price and to deliver them as soon as possible this year.

All — Every possible measure to increase global supply must be on the table, including the temporary suspension of intellectual property and extraordinary global public-private collaboration resulting in wider transfer of technology and know-how. We call on each of you to end your opposition to these measures and work collaboratively with the global community to achieve universal access.

If we work together in the global public interest, we will save lives at risk and we will defeat this deadly pandemic. 

Thank you for your consideration of this request. 

Sincerely,

Prince Harry,                                                              Meghan,

The Duke of Sussex                                                    The Duchess of Sussex

Vax Live Campaign Chair                                         Vax Live Campaign Chair

If you would like to add your name to the letter, please visit Global Citizen's website.

A reminder Vax Live will be streamed on Saturday 8 May 8/7 C on select channels and 8PM EST on YouTube. For those in the UK, it will air on Sky One on Sunday 6.30 pm.

Wishing Archie a fabulous day! He has so much to look forward to with the arrival of his little sister. Below, the Duchess reading her son Duck! Rabbit! in support of Save the Children to mark his first birthday last year.