Image source, Reuters
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The invention of the COVID-19 vaccine It was a remarkable scientific achievement.
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But many are concerned that wealthier countries will stock up on the new coronavirus vaccine. This makes the poorer countries even more difficult to access vaccines.
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But the international program, Covax, was established with the noble goal of giving both rich and poor countries the most equal and fair share of vaccines.
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What is Cowax
The Cowax Program, established in April 2020, aims to support the development, purchase and delivery of vaccines to more than 180 countries around the world. With the World Health Organization as a leader Together with The Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) founded by Bill and Melinda Gates and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi).
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Covax, or Covax, stands for Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility or the global access to the COVID-19 vaccine program.
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Dr. Tedros Adanom Ghebreyesus, Director of the World Health Organization It tries to point out the current inequality problem, saying that 39 million doses have been vaccinated in at least 49 wealthy countries, but poorer countries have only offered 25 million doses.
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Where have you proceeded?
Image source, EPA
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Cowax has raised $ 6 billion. But need another US $ 2 billion To meet the goals set for 2021
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The program aims to begin shipping the vaccine in February, with poor and middle-income countries getting the vaccine. They hope that by the end of 2021, 2 billion doses of the vaccine will be distributed worldwide.
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Out of all available vaccines, 1.8 billion doses of vaccine will be delivered to the 92 poor participating countries. Which will reach approximately 20% of the population in those countries
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There were criticisms, however, that Cowax did not take the initiative to respond earlier.
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Is Thailand joining this project?
Image source, Office of Information Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health
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Thailand did not participate in this project.
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After Mr. Thanathorn Chuengroongruangkit The President of the Progress Committee raised questions on Jan. 18 about the delay and lack of transparency. As the government chose to negotiate too few vaccine manufacturers, it noted that “Stabbed one horse” or not, executives of the Ministry of Public Health (Ministry of Public Health), including Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State, has denied that “I didn’t bet on a single horse.”
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Dr. Supakit Sirilak, Director-General of the Department of Medical Sciences, clarified that in the past, Thai authorities have tried at least two channels to get the vaccine to cover 50% of the population this year. In addition to technology transfer guidelines And the purchase of 2 million doses of Sinovac vaccine from China during February to April.
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For the vaccine from the Cowax Project, Dr. Supakit said that there was an effort to seek cooperation through the cowax. But I agree that there are some difficulties in making the purchase contract, causing the acquisition of the vaccine to be uncertain. And it may be quite difficult.
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Mr. Anutin explained through his personal Facebook page in this case that Thailand has always negotiated with Cowax. But is not eligible for free vaccination Because cowax provides rights to poor countries that the World Health Organization and The Gavi Vaccine Alliance supports 92 countries, but Thailand is a moderate country. If you are going to join with Thai Cowax, you have to buy more expensive. And cannot select a vaccine from any manufacturer There are uncertainties in terms of type, amount and price, including prepayment.
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Can Cowax End the Pandemic?
If Cowax can actually achieve the target It will not yet reach the population that experts say will provide the immune level that will help end the pandemic.
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The World Health Organization says at least 70% of the world’s population needs to be more immune than COVID-19 stops the epidemic.
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With 2 billion doses of vaccine available a year, it would take years for 70% of the world’s 7.8 billion people to be vaccinated.
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However, 2 billion doses would be enough for people working at the forefront such as doctors and nurses, as well as vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with underlying diseases.
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How much do different countries donate?
Up to now, Cowax has raised $ 6 billion. But need another US $ 2 billion To meet the goals set for 2021
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Britain has donated US $ 748 million, while the United States announced in December that it would give US $ 4 billion.
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The first things Joe Biden did when he assumed the presidency of the United States. Is to sign to join the Cowax project
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However, the US and other wealthy countries are accused of stockpiling vaccines.
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Duke University’s Institute of World Health in the US found that as of mid-January, a handful of wealthy nations accounted for just 16% of the world’s population. Purchased 60% of the vaccine available in the world.
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For the rest of the world, especially the poor Cowax may be the only solution from COVID-19 crisis
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