COVAX initiative

COVAX is one of three pillars of the ‘Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator’ launched by the European Commission, the World Health Organization (WHO), and France. It was launched in April 2020.

Key Points

• COVAX initiative focusses on providing equitable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines to all people around the world, once the vaccines are available.
• This programme is coordinated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
• The initial aim of COVAX initiative is to have 2 billion doses available by the end of 2021, which will be accessed by 92 low and middle-income countries and economies approved by the Gavi Board.
• Recently, UNICEF said that about 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be shipped to developing countries in 2021. The agency has been working closely with 350 logistics partners, including shipping lines, air freight operators, and global logistics associations for the easy shipping.

What is the need of COVAX Facility?

The COVAX Facility is required to increase the chances getting access to COVID-19 vaccines for the people of the participating countries.

Global Vaccine Summit

The Global Vaccine Summit was held virtually on June 4, 2020. It was hosted by the UK virtually. The summit was held to raise US$ 7.4 billion but raised over US$ 8.8 billion to fight against COVID-19 and immunize 300 million against diseases like polio measles, and diphtheria by 2025. UK is the top donor of the alliance which pledged £330 million per year over the next 5 years.  During the summit, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi had pledged USD 15-million as India’s contribution to Gavi. China recently joined the 172-country alliance.