On December 31, the Global Access Facility for Covid-19 Vaccines (Covax) will cease to operate, through which approximately 2 billion doses were delivered to 146 countries, the World Organization reported on Tuesday. of Health (WHO).
The multilateral mechanism was established with the objective of promoting equitable access to vaccines around the world. Currently, 190 countries participate in this initiative.
According to the report, the program was developed under the joint direction of the WHO, the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). , and from the moment of its launch until now “it has prevented at least 2.7 million deaths in the […] participating low- and lower-middle-income economies.
Furthermore, “Covax’s comprehensive efforts helped low-income economies achieve two-dose coverage of 57%, compared to the global average of 67%.” Among other things, the world’s poorest countries also obtained $2 billion in financial support thanks to the mechanism.
However, the organization states that in 2024 and 2025 the world’s poorest countries will continue to have access to all necessary assistance, including vaccines against covid-19, through Gavi. Thus, at the moment, 58 States have already requested 83 million doses to immunize their population. With RT
