In a few days after passing the one billion doses milestone, Covax, a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, sought contributions of $5 billion to provide 600 million doses of vaccines to be distributed in 2022.
World Health Organization (WHO), Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (Cepi) are leading the charge to raise $3.7 billion to finance a reserve of 600 million doses, which should ensure a smooth supply of vaccines in the event of unforeseen events, such as booster doses or vaccines that incorporate new variants.
An additional billion dollars will be devoted to preparing and distributing vaccines to less-developed countries to avoid waste.
In addition, 545 million dollars are needed for transportation, syringes, and insurance costs.
So far, Covax has received $192 million from donors.
“In 2022, we can help stop Covid by adapting the way we do business by ensuring doses are used quickly, injected safely, and meet country preferences and coverage goals,” said Seth Berkley, the CEO of the GAVI Alliance and a global advocate of the power of vaccines.
“This will help the world reduce pandemic risks and uncertainties,” he said, in an appeal to donors.
As opposed to the one year it took for the first billion doses to arrive when supply issues severely hampered operations, Seth Berkley hopes the next billion doses will be delivered in four or five months.
According to the company, it has enough vaccines to vaccinate around 45% of the population of 92 countries that benefit from vaccine donations in 2022, saving a million lives and halving the economic cost of the pandemic in some countries.
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