Question: Which of the following statement is incorrect regarding the COVAX Initiative planned by WHO?
The initial plan of the COVAX initiative is to vaccinate-
a) At least 20 percent of the high-risk population in the participating countries
b) Healthcare workers
c) Frontline workers
d) All the people below the age of 65 years.
Answer: (a)
Related Facts:
- On December 4, 2020; The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it is hoping to have at least 500 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the first quarter of 2021 through the COVAX facility.
- WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan stated in this regard at the Geneva news conference on December 4, 2020.
COVAX Initiative:
- COVAX is co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and WHO.
- Its aim is to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.
- 189 countries till now have joined the COVAX facility.
- The initial plan of the COVAX initiative is to vaccinate at least 20 percent of the high-risk population in the participating countries.
- It will include-
i. Healthcare workers
ii. Frontline workers
iii. People above the age of 65 years.
- Soumya Swaminathan, who is at present WHO Chief Scientist, said that the WHO’s goal is to get at least 2 billion doses by the end of 2021.
- WHO thinks that above amount will be enough to vaccinate 20 percent of the populations of countries that are part of COVAX.
- As per WHO, this would be enough to bring to an end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic by reducing mortality rate and the impact on health systems.
- WHO is optimistic that out of the 2 billion doses, about half a billion is expected to be available for distribution across countries in a fair manner in the first quarter of 2021.
- WHO Chief said that some countries possibily start getting vaccine doses by the end of the first quarter of 2021.
- She expressed hope that few countries may start vaccination earlier as well.
- The majority of the vaccine tranches are expected to start moving out to the respective countries in the second quarter of 2021.
- Main Objectives of COVAX Facility:-
- It aims to help buy and manufacture and equitably distribute COVID-19 vaccine shots across the world.
- It wants to ensure that the safest vaccine reaches each corner of the world.
- The facility is working alongside governments to ensure the effective COVID vaccine is available worldwide.
- It is ensuring that all participating nations must get the best chance of gaining fast access to doses of the most effective COVID-19 vaccine.
By – Rajesh Triapthi