Calls for action to equip COVAX to deliver 2 billion doses in 2021
Countries that are advanced in their vaccination programmes are seeing cases of COVID-19 decline, hospitalisations decrease and early signs of some kind of normality resume. However, the global picture is far more concerning. At no point in this pandemic have there been such an acute need to look to future challenges and not rest on the patchy achievements made so far.
The world is seeing the traumatic effects of the terrible surge of COVID-19 in South Asia – a surge that has also severely impacted global vaccine supplies. The focus should be on ensuring countries who have not benefitted from these life-saving tools do so now, and with urgency.
As the global mechanism for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, COVAX has proven it works. Designed and implemented amid an unprecedented global public health crisis, it has delivered over 70 million doses to 126 countries and economies around the world since February – from remote islands to conflict settings – managing the largest and most complex rollout of vaccines in history. Over 35 countries received their first COVID-19 vaccine doses thanks to COVAX.
However, the terrible surge of the virus in India has had a severe impact on COVAX’s supply in the second quarter of this year, to the point whereby at the end of June there will be a shortfall of 190 million doses. Even though COVAX will have larger volumes available later in the year through the deals it has already secured with several manufacturers if the current urgent shortfall situation is not addressed, the consequences could be catastrophic.
The current challenges can be addressed with concerted action and global leadership. Millions of dollars and doses were committed to COVAX on May 21, bringing the total of doses pledged so far to more than 150 million. At the World Health Assembly, governments have been united in recognising the political and financial urgency of supporting COVAX with doses and dollars. It is now imperative to build on this momentum to secure full funding for COVAX and more vaccines – right now – for lower-income countries at the Advance Market Commitment Summit on June 2.
If the world’s leaders rally together, the original COVAX objectives – delivery of 2 billion doses of vaccines worldwide in 2021, and 1.8 billion doses to 92 lower-income economies by early 2022 are still well within reach.
It will require governments and the private sector to urgently unlock new sources of doses, with deliveries starting in June, and funding so we can deliver. Dr Richard Hatchett, Chief Executive Officer, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); Dr Seth Berkley, Chief Executive Officer, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) and Henrietta Fore, Executive Director, UNICEF call for the following immediate actions.
Fund the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC)
The AMC mechanism is how COVAX provides doses to lower-income economies. Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the AMC has already secured 1.3 billion doses for delivery in 2021. This is enough to protect the most at-risk population groups: health workers, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. There is a need for an additional $2 billion to lift coverage in AMC countries up to nearly 30 per cent, and by June 2 to lock in supplies now so that doses can be delivered through 2021, and into early 2022.
Share doses, now
The pandemic has just taken a frightening new turn, as a deadly surge of cases rages across South Asia and other hotspots. Countries with the largest supplies should redirect doses to COVAX now, to have maximum impact.
Countries are stepping forward with doses, with the US and Europe collectively pledging to share 180 million doses. At least one billion doses could be shared by wealthy countries in 2021. COVAX’s need for doses is greatest right now. Countries with higher coverage rates, which are due to receive doses soon should swap their places in supply queues with COVAX so that doses can be equitably distributed as quickly as possible.
Free up supply chains
By removing trade barriers, export control measures, and other transit issues that block, the supply and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, raw materials, components and supplies can be restricted or slowed down.
Now more than ever, at the peak of the pandemic, there is a need for ambitious, global solutions. When it comes to worldwide vaccine distribution, COVAX is the only initiative capable of rising to the challenge of this moment.
Understandably, some countries want to press ahead and vaccinate all of their populations. By donating vaccines to COVAX alongside domestic vaccination programmes, the most at-risk populations can be protected globally, which is instrumental to ending the acute phase of the pandemic, curbing the rise and threat of variants, and accelerating a return to normality.
COVAX is hugely appreciative to France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden and the UAE for their initial commitments to donate doses through COVAX. COVAX also welcome announcements by the US, Norway, Croatia, Romania, Australia and Portugal to donate doses to countries in need and put COVAX forward as the proven mechanism for global, rapid and equitable distribution to facilitate this.
Since COVAX was established in mid-2020, it has had the support and resources of 192 of the world’s economies. This tremendous vote of confidence has enabled us to demonstrate our ability to deliver an unprecedented global rollout. It’s time to finish the job.
