COVAX

About COVAX

COVAX, the COVID 19 Vaccines Global Access facility, was co led by WHO, Gavi, and CEPI to ensure equitable vaccine access globally. Launched in April 2020, COVAX aimed to provide 2 billion vaccine doses to participating countries by end 2021. High income countries purchased doses through COVAX while low and middle income countries received donated doses. By March 2022, COVAX had delivered approximately 1.4 billion doses to 145 countries. However, COVAX was constrained as wealthy countries secured much of the early vaccine supply through bilateral agreements, contributing to stark inequality in access. At the end of 2021, only approximately 8 percent of people in low income countries had received one dose compared to over 70 percent in high income countries. COVAX faced criticism for being too slow and insufficiently ambitious. The African Union and AVAT pursued their own vaccine procurement. COVAX demonstrated the intent and limitations of global solidarity during a pandemic.