WHO says 172 countries engaging with COVAX vaccine plan, asks for 'crucial funds'

On August 23, World Health Organization said that at least 172 countries are engaging with WHO’s COVAX plan aimed at providing equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine to countries without discrimination. In a live-streamed press conference, WHO said that nations w needed unanimous commitment towards cooperation for crucial new funding needed for COVID-19 vaccine. "Initially, when re will be limited supply (of COVID-19 vaccines), it's important to provide vaccine to those at highest risk around globe," WHO's director-general Tedros ham Ghebreyesus said at a media briefing.

In a letter earlier, WHO urged member states to join vaccine arm of Act-Accelerator. Tedros said, ding, nations worldwide are associating with COVAX Global Vaccines Facility, one of most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolios in world. Furr, he ded, re were at least nine vaccines currently reviewed and optimized under this plan, however, discussions were ongoing for four more producers.

“ Facility is critical mechanism for joint procurement and pooling risk across multiple vaccines so that whatever vaccine is proven to be safe and effective – all countries within Facility will be able to access m,” WHO said in a press release. It ded, WHO’s COVAX was a mechanism to enable “globally coordinated” efforts in interests of all countries, including those that invested in vaccines."

We’re working with vaccine manufacturers to provide all countries that join effort timely and equitable access to all vaccines, licensed and approved, WHO’s director-general Tedros said. This doesn’t just pool risk, it also means that prices will be kept as low as possible, he explained.

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Invest in COVAX Facility to 'end pandemic'

WHO urged that countries, wh have so far spent an estimated 12 trillion dollars to recover ecomy should invest in COVAX Facility inste to end pandemic. It emphasised in release, “Initially when re will be limited supply, it’s important to provide vaccine to those at highest risk around world.” It ded that prime receivers of vaccines would be health workers and frontline staff that is involved in saving lives and stabilizing health system. “As supply increases, next st of vaccine rollout would be expanded based on an assessment of each country’s vulnerability to virus,” WHO said. WHO indicated that vaccines were in final st of clinical trials and might be available after successful results. 

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(Im Credit: WHO website)