Defining COVAX

COVAX, standing for COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, is an international project designed to ensure fair and equal distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. The initiative is led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI); and the World Health Organization (WHO) .

Key Features of COVAX

• COVAX is a part of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT Accelerator) initiative, launched by WHO, the French Government, and the European Commission in April 2020.
• UNICEF works in partnership with COVAX, aiding in the delivery of vaccines.
• The primary goal of COVAX is to expedite the development and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, ensuring every country, regardless of its economic status, has access to them.
• COVAX plays a crucial role in providing COVID-19 vaccines to low and middle-income countries.
• The initiative unites governments, scientists, global health organisations, the private sector, manufacturers, and civil society to fight against the pandemic.
• COVAX aims to have 2 billion doses available by the end of 2021.
• COVAX is the only source of vaccines for many low-income countries and high-income self-financing countries without bilateral deals with manufacturers.
• Ghana was the first country to receive vaccines from COVAX.
• Funding for COVAX primarily comes from western governments and charitable organizations.

What Does COVAX Offer?

1. It provides doses for at least 20% of countries’ populations.
2. It manages a diverse portfolio of vaccines.
3. It ensures vaccines are delivered as soon as they are available.
4. It aims to end the acute phase of the pandemic.
5. It helps in rebuilding economies.

By joining COVAX, countries, both funded and self-financing, will have access to a portfolio of vaccines that are proven safe and effective.

How Does COVAX Operate?

COVAX operates by pooling the buying power of participating countries, encouraging vaccine manufacturers to produce at scale and make risky early investments in manufacturing capacity. By pooling these resources, COVAX can ensure rapid access to new vaccines as they become available.

India's Role in COVAX

India became a part of COVAX through its affiliation with GAVI. The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, produces the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. In March 2021, India started providing vaccines to countries in North Africa, Eastern Europe, West Africa, and the Middle East. However, due to a surge in domestic cases, vaccine exports were halted in April 2021. This has impacted India's contribution to COVAX.