Cooperation through COVAX
No country is truly safe until COVID-19 has been effectively stamped out. Luckily, there are initiatives like the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility to ensure equitable access to a vaccine around the world.
The big three: COVAX is co-led by WHO; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
The goal: Deliver two billion doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2021 to each of its 170+ member nations. Around 100 low and-middle income countries have signed up for COVAX, with about 70 wealthier countries donating to finance vaccine distribution.
The plan: Each country will receive enough vaccines to immunize three percent of its population, covering first the frontline healthcare workers. Eventually, COVAX intends to provide vaccines to cover 20 percent of each country’s most vulnerable populations.
“Acting strategically and globally is actually in each country’s national interest—no one is safe until everyone is safe,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization.
This article was first published in the January 2021 print version of Asian Scientist Magazine.
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Copyright: Asian Scientist Magazine.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
