Question: Which Indian state has recently decided to join global COVAX facility?
a) Punjab
b) Kerala
c) MP
d) none of the above
Ans: a
Context
- The Punjab Government recently announced that it is to join COVAX facility in order to increase its COVID-19 supplies.
Facts
- Punjab is facing a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, and in order to get doses, it would be joining the Covax facility.
- Many other state and even BMC has also said that they would be importing vaccine on their own.
About COVAX
- COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, abbreviated as COVAX, is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, or GAVI), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Covax aims to stop vaccine nationalism
However it only cooperates with national governments as of now , so it is unclear whether Punjab is even eligible or not to buy vaccine from it.
By kameshwar Shukla