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UN-Led COVAX Programme Secures up to 190 Million COVID Vaccine Doses for Global Distribution

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the signing of an advance purchase agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech to secure up to 40 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine under the UN-led COVAX equitable vaccine supply programme. Additionally, 150 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine are expected to be available for COVAX to distribute up to the end of March. The deal marks a significant step towards the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, with the potential to save lives, stabilize health systems, and drive economic recovery.

Key Takeaways:

  • The WHO has signed an advance purchase agreement with Pfizer-BioNTech for up to 40 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • COVAX is expected to receive an additional 150 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine up to the end of March.
  • The deal has the potential to enable COVAX to begin delivering doses in February, pending emergency authorization.
  • UNICEF is playing a vital role in preparing countries for the delivery and rollout of vaccines.
  • The US return to the WHO fold, combined with new vaccine doses, makes it easier to fulfill the promise of COVAX.
  • WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed President Biden's commitment to working constructively with WHO to end the pandemic.
  • Vaccines will complement, but not replace, proven public health measures to check transmission of COVID-19.
  • The deal opens the door for countries with spare doses to donate them.

Statistics:

  • 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine secured under the COVAX programme.
  • 150 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine expected to be available for COVAX to distribute up to the end of March.
  • Potential for COVAX to begin distributing doses in February, pending emergency authorization.
  • 20% of the world's population (up to 1.4 billion people) at risk of COVID-19.

Sources:

  • United Nations, Twitter, "Media briefing on #COVID19 with @DrTedros", 22 January 2021.
  • World Health Organization, Twitter, "February delivery date", 22 January 2021.
  • World Health Organization, UN press release, "WHO welcomes US reengagement with WHO", 22 January 2021.

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