Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – As many as 80 higher-income economies, which would finance the vaccines from their own public finance budgets, have so far submitted Expressions of Interest ahead of the deadline of 31 August for confirmation of intent to participate in COVAX, according to World Health Organization’s (WHO) statement received by Indonesia Window here on Wednesday.

COVAX is a global initiative working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.

COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the WHO.

The countries will partner with 92 low- and middle-income countries that will be supported by the Advance Market Commitment (AMC), a financing instrument aimed at supporting the participation of 92 lower and middle income economies in the COVAX Facility.

Together, this group of 172 countries represents more than 70 percent of the world’s population.

Among the group are representatives from every continent and more than half of the world’s G20 economies.

“The momentum we are witnessing behind this unprecedented global effort means there could be light at the end of the tunnel. A vaccine is our best route to ending the acute phase of the pandemic and the COVAX effort is the best way to get there,” Gavi’s CEO Dr. Seth Berkley said.

“For higher-income countries it represents a win-win. Not only will you be guaranteed access to the world’s largest portfolio of vaccines, you will also be negotiating as part of a global consortium, bringing down prices and ensuring truly global access,” he added.

Berkley pointed out, signing up to the COVAX Facility gives each country its best chance at protecting the most vulnerable members of their populations, which in turn gives the world its best chance at mitigating the toll this pandemic has taken on individuals, communities and the global economy.

“To make this end-to-end vision a reality, we need countries to make end-to-end commitments: funding R&D, signing up to the Facility, and supporting the COVAX AMC,” he said.

Laporan: Redaksi