Airing in 100 countries on May 8th, Vax Live, a concert supporting vaccine distribution, raised over $302 million, exceeding its original fundraising goal. This paid for 26 million individual vaccine doses in communities where those doses are desperately needed. The U.S. and wealthier countries have an abundance of vaccines whereas poorer countries have received less than 1% of the global vaccine supply, and this concert helped to lessen that inequity by providing vaccines to countries in need.

The performances at “Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World” were celebrity-heavy with appearances from Pope Francis, Joe Biden, Meghan Markle, Jennifer Lopez, Chrissy Teigen, and host Selena Gomez. Many of these celebrities tugged at viewer’s heartstrings by detailing the urgency of this cause. Jennifer Lopez expressed, “We’ve been away from our loved ones for too long, but we’re back…While it’s getting better for us, there are people all over the world — especially in Africa, India, and in the Latin world — who still need our help and our vaccines.” Meghan Markle and her husband, Harry, explained, “We cannot rest or truly recover until there is fair distribution to every corner of the world…We must look beyond ourselves with empathy and compassion for those we know, and those we don’t.” Pope Francis continued this message, calling for “a spirit of justice that mobilizes us to ensure true universal access to vaccines.”

The celebrities also pleaded with viewers hesitant about the vaccines to get vaccinated. Selena Gomez expressed, “If you’re on the fence about getting vaccinated, if you don’t think you need it to protect yourself, I’m not going to lecture you. I’m going to beg you. Please get vaccinated — for your family, your neighbors, and every single person you come in contact with.” Joe Biden continued this message reassuring viewers, “The vaccines are safe, I promise you, they’re safe. They work.” 

Ultimately this benefit concert was a huge success, both because of the money raised and the joy it provided to so many whether they were watching from home or were one of the 27,000 vaccinated healthcare professionals in attendance.