WHO pushes countries to invest in the COVAX facility
The World Health Organization (WHO) pushes countries to join and invest in the COVAX facility to guarantee fair and timely access for everyone to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Investing in the COVAX Facility is the fastest way to end this pandemic and ensure a sustainable economic recovery,” said WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
He told journalists that so far 172 countries are engaging with the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility which currently has nine vaccines in its portfolio and another nine under evaluation.
“As governments invest trillions into economic stimulus, the COVAX Facility offers a huge return on investment. There is light at the end of tunnel and as I said last week, together we can do it.”
COVAX Facility needs significant funding
The COVAX Facility, co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and WHO, is the initiative to speed up the development of COVID-19 treatments and make them accessible to people worldwide.
Through the facility, countries will jointly procure and pool risk across multiple vaccines, eventually leading to the equitable roll-out of safe and effective treatment against the disease.
The WHO chief reported that a number of vaccines are now in the final stage of clinical trials, with the hope that many will be both safe and effective.
“Initially, when there will be limited supply, it’s important to provide the vaccine to those at highest risk around the world including frontliners and people over 65 years old and those with certain diseases that put them at higher risk of dying from COVID-19”, said Tedros.
Following this, supply will be expanded based on an assessment of each country’s vulnerability to the virus.
However, the WHO emphasized that the COVAX facility needs significant funding for research and development as well as for supporting lower-income countries.
“In order to be able to secure enough doses to roll out the vaccines, the next step for the partnership is for countries to make binding commitments in support of the COVAX Facility.”
Dr Tedros added that global competition for vaccine doses could lead to prices spiking exponentially in comparison to a collaborative effort such as the COVAX Facility.
Nations have until 31 August to express their interest in joining, with confirmation due by 18 September. Initial payments should be made by 9 October.