VAX LIVE: The concert to reunite the world
- Florencia Lombardi
- May 14, 2021
- 2 min read
Global Citizen, an international organization, organized VAX LIVE, a concert dedicated to funding equitable vaccine access in marginalized groups. The Concert to Reunite the World raised $302 million and 26 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to help the world’s most vulnerable communities and healthcare workers.
Politicians, celebrities, and musicians took part in the event. During the concert, they motivated the public to get vaccinated and discouraged world leaders from hoarding vaccines. Global Citizen also called on them to donate any excess doses to countries in need.
Among the long list of participants were President Joe Biden, Prince Harry, and Jennifer Lopez. For those who could not witness the show in person, the concert was available some days later. Although it was recorded on May 2, it was aired for the public on Saturday 8. ABC, ABC News Live, CBS, YouTube, and iHeartMedia radio stations broadcasted the show.
The concert was hosted by Selena Gomez with an in-person audience of 27,000 people. All of the spectators were vaccinated healthcare and essential workers who enjoyed multiple performances from artists such as Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, H.E.R, and J. Balvin. Special guest speakers were also invited, including Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, Jimmy Kimmel, Sean Penn, and David Letterman.
Since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, VAX LIVE was one of the largest concert gatherings in Southern California. Over a year after its start, we are now seeing the possibilities of a post-pandemic reality. This event showed what the world could look like if we are all immunized against COVID-19.
Various celebrities, and even the Bidens, participated in this concert which collected over 302 million dollars towards equitable vaccine access
Bibliography
Bowman, E. (2021, May 8th) Celebrities Push For Vaccine Equity At 'Vax Live' Benefit Concert. NPR
Global Citizen (2021, May 8th) 'VAX LIVE' Helps Mobilize $302M and More Than 26M COVID-19 Vaccine Doses for World's Most Vulnerable. Global Citizen.
Mazur, K. (2021, May 9th). Watch Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, J Balvin & H.E.R. on VAX LIVE concert Saturday night [Photograph]. ABC Audio. https://digital.abcaudio.com/news/watch-selena-gomez-jennifer-lopez-j-balvin-her-vax-live-concert-saturday-night
McCarthy, J. (2021, May 9th) President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden Join 'VAX LIVE' to Urge You to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine [Photograph]. Global Citizen. https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/joe-biden-jill-biden-vax-live-covid-19-vaccine/
The Associated Press (2021, May 9th) Vax Live concert raises $302 million, exceeds vaccine goal. AP news
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