World Poorest Nations Set To Receive AZ Vaccines

Astra Zeneca Vaccines developed in the United Kingdom (Courtesy photo illustration for education only)

Astra Zeneca vaccines (Photo for education only)

Astra Zeneca Vaccines developed in the United Kingdom (Courtesy photo illustration for education only)

WebPublicaPress (UNITED NATIONS) New York - Since discussions began about the global distribution of vaccines, it has been said that not all countries, especially the poorer ones, will be able to obtain anti-COVID vaccines immediately. Some studies mention the possibility of a delay of even several years, and it has already been mentioned in 2024 as the year in which some countries could receive their first doses of the vaccine.

The United Nations rightly warns, now in continuity – that every big gap between the rich – means the expected vaccinated part of the planet and the poor which will not be able to be vaccinated so quickly – leads only to prolong global suffering from the pandemic.

That’s why any announcement that poor countries will soon start getting their vaccine means good news for rich countries as well. Because, “let’s be realistic – preventing communication between people is hard; to stop it for a while – even harder. It is both because of the economy and because of the culture of living,” states the editorial WebPublicaPress (WPP).

Thus, t is good to hear any such media announcements about the global distribution of vaccines in a less affluent part of the world. According to media reports the AstraZeneca vaccine, developed by Oxford University, has become the first to be given the green light by the WHO for the joint vaccine procurement program.

Astra Zeneca fo poor

As DW (Deutsche Welle) reports quoting other news agencies – the World Health Organization (WHO) “set the ball in motion for the global deployment of coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries on Monday after it issued emergency approval for the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

The AstraZeneca virus is the first to be given emergency approval by the WHO for global distribution via COVAXIt had been hoped that the COVAX program would start in line with vaccination launches in richer countries. However, two months in and not a single dose had been administered among the world’s poorest 2.5 billion people in about 130 countries.

When will the COVAX rollout begin?

COVAX had signed deals with various manufacturers, but only the AstraZeneca and BioNTech-Pfizer vaccines were expected to be included in the first wave. Both require two doses, but the German-made BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine requires ultracold storage technology making it unsuitable for most low-income countries.

The Serum Institute of India agreed to produce 1.1 billion doses for delivery. India has already begun to donate doses to some of its neighbors.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is preparing to transport up to 850 metric tons of doses every month once it’s available. COVAX has so far raised $6 billion (€4.95 billion) in pledges but will require at least another $2 billion this year.

Some higher-income countries have also signed up to the program, even if they had signed individual deals with vaccine manufacturers directly — South Korea is set to receive 2.6 million doses.

What is COVAX (explanation)

Launched in June 2020 by the WHO, the Gavi vaccine alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), COVAX is a cooperative program aimed at ensuring global access to coronavirus vaccines, especially to poorer countries.

Vaccines for developing countries badly needed

A reported 198 countries and territories are participating in the program. Some pay for their doses

Astra Zeneca vaccines (Photo for education only)

. The 92 lowest-income nations receive the vaccines as donations. Many of the countries are reliant on the WHO to assess and approve vaccines.

Forming a unified front, COVAX was able to invest in a variety of vaccines to ensure that manufacturers invest sufficiently in production to fulfill orders. The design followed in the footsteps of previously successful vaccination drives which provided equitable access to pneumococcal and Ebola vaccines. (Source DW and other media agencies)

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