- Origins and Structure
- COVAX is a global initiative for equitable COVID-19 vaccine access
- Launched in April 2020 by WHO, European Commission, and France
- Coordinates resources for low-to-middle-income countries
- UNICEF serves as key delivery partner
- Implementation and Distribution
- Started distributing vaccines in February 2021
- First recipient Ghana received 600,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca doses
- By August 2021, delivered 200 million doses to 140 countries
- More than 1.4 billion doses delivered as of April 2022
- Key Players
- China joined in October 2020, pledged $100 million
- US became largest donor with $4 billion pledge
- EU contributed €870 million, Germany €300 million
- India initially limited vaccine exports due to domestic demand
- Challenges and Progress
- Vaccine shortages continue in South America and parts of Asia
- WHO approved nine COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use
- Program aims to vaccinate 52% of poor countries' populations
- Private donations possible through "Go Give One" campaign