Covax Secures $2.4B For Vaccinations In Low-Income Nations

<p>
The Covax programme has received $2.4 billion aid for providing equitable vaccinations in low-income countries.<br />
<br />
The funds were pledged by wealthier countries, foundations and private companies after a virtual summit hosted by the Japanese government and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance on Wednesday, the New York Times reported.<br />
<br />
Belgium, Denmark, Japan, Spain and Sweden also announced plans to share a total of 54 million doses from their domestic supplies with countries in need.<br />
<br />
Japan has pledged $800 million. It has also committed to share 30 million doses of locally produced vaccines.<br />
<br />
The US has already committed $4 billion in the last two years in support for Covax. Other Countries include Australia, France, Kuwait, Mauritius, Mexico, Switzerland and Vietnam.<br />
<br />
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mastercard and the Visa Foundation were among institutions committing funds, and the European Investment Bank announced additional financing to support cost-sharing with African Union countries, the report said.<br />
<br />
led by Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Covax was launched last year to promote equity in the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. It has so far raised $9.6 billion and shipped more than 77 million doses to 127 countries.<br />
<br />
Only 0.4 per cent of all Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in low-income countries. And in many countries, even the most vulnerable adults and health care workers have not received vaccinations, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, was quoted as saying at the summit.<br />
<br />
The new funds will help nations that are least able to afford them to buy additional vaccine doses as well as to invest in new vaccine candidates, the report said.</p>