Topline
The World Health Organization’s goal of delivering 2 billion coronavirus vaccine doses to 92 low and middle-income countries by the end of 2021 has a “very high risk” of being unsuccessful and vaccine doses may not be delivered until 2024, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing internal documents it obtained.
The World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva.
Key Facts
The program, called COVAX, is hampered by a lack of funding, supply risks and contracts that allow countries to renege on commitments to buy vaccines, internal documents show.
COVAX has raised $2.1 billion but would need another $4.9 billion to meet its goal by 2021, based on the ability to buy vaccines for roughly $5.20 per dose.
COVAX has supply agreements with AstraZeneca, Novavax and Sanofi for 400 million doses and the option to buy more from them, but their vaccine candidates may not be approved until late 2021 because of trial delays.
COVAX doesn’t currently have deals with Pfizer, whose vaccine has been approved for emergency use in multiple countries, or Moderna, which is expected to win approval for its vaccine in the U.S. shortly, though a WHO official said the agency wants to buy doses from the two companies at negotiated prices.
Key Background
COVAX is a global collaboration with more than two-thirds of the world engaged, according to co-organizer Gavi. COVAX aims to support the research and development of vaccine candidates and negotiate prices. Regardless of income levels, all participating countries have equal access to approved vaccines. Higher-income countries pay to participate. All or most of the cost will be covered for lower-income countries.
Tangent
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donated $50 million to the initiative in November with the money earmarked for the fund for lower-income countries.
Further Reading
Exclusive-WHO vaccine scheme risks failure, leaving poor countries no COVID shots until 2024 (Reuters)
Bill And Melinda Gates Are Giving Another $70 Million For Covid Vaccines (Forbes)
