Around 156 nations have joined a global scheme for fair distribution of future vaccines against Covid-19. An alliance led by the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the scheme would account for about two-thirds of the world population. However, major powers like China and the United States have not signed up. US President Donald Trump's administration has already secured future supplies through bilateral deals, while China maintained a prominent silence.
The Covax plan aims to deliver 2 billion vaccine doses around the world by the end of 2021, with a priority on healthcare workers and the vulnerable. The vaccine alliance led by WHO and GAVI published the list of signatories after a deadline for binding commitments expired.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Covax will give the world the largest and most diverse portfolio of vaccine candidates. This is not charity, it's in every country's best interest. We sink or we swim together ... This is not just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do.”
There are dozens of vaccines in testing for the coronavirus which has infected about 31 million people globally and killed nearly 1 million. The alliance said it expected another 38 wealthy countries to join the initiative in coming days. It added that it had received commitments for US$1.4 billion towards vaccine research and development, but a further US$700 million to US$800 million was urgently needed.
While the alliance did not say which countries were providing funding while not planning to take supply of vaccines from the scheme. France and Germany said they will source potential shots only via the European joint procurement scheme. Over 150 potential vaccines are being developed and tested globally, with 38 in human trials.
