Image Source: Caixin Global

Agencies:

$18 Billion Global Coronavirus vaccine plan moves ahead, without China and America, for now

September 22, 2020

An $18 billion initiative to deploy future COVID-19 vaccines around the world is moving into the next phase with 156 countries and regions taking part in the program but China joining the U.S on the sidelines, at least for now.

While China wasn�t on the list, 38 Governments are expected to sign up in the coming days, according to a statement Monday from Gavi, the vaccine Alliance. The group is leading the effort, Covax, along with the World Health Organization and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. The U.S has said it won�t participate.

The goal is to have 2 billion doses available by the end of 2021 and to focus initially on protecting health care workers and people at higher risk. Despite China�s uncertain status and the U.S declining to take part, the organizers are pressing ahead with their effort to protect the world from the fast spreading virus as the death toll approaches 1 million.

The program plans to prioritize health care workers and expand to provide doses for as much as 20% of the population of participating countries. Covax intends to use collective purchasing power to negotiate highly competitive prices from manufacturers.

The partners said Monday that 64 higher income economies have joined Covax.