VP Harris issues call to action for pandemic preparedness

WASHINGTON, D.C. (CBS) - Vice President Kamala Harris addressed world leaders at the Virtual Global COVID-19 Summit Wednesday morning.

Her remarks focused on the need to prepare for the next pandemic, calling for a new financial intermediary fund at the World Bank to bring together resources to support preparedness.

The vice president said the United States is prepared to contribute at least 250 million dollars to get the fund going, with potentially 850 million dollars more with Congress' approval.

Vice President Harris said experts believe right now the world does not have the funding to handle another pandemic crisis, and that should be a stark warning and a wake up call to all world leaders to start preparing now.