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AAP has a vaccine update:
Australia is now eligible to purchase COVID-19 vaccine doses, when available, through the global COVAX facility.
Australia is now at the forefront of the queue for access to coronavirus vaccines, when available, after joining a global group backed by the World Health Organization.
The COVID-19 facility known as COVAX gives Australia access to a large portfolio of vaccine candidates and manufacturers around the world.
Australia has committed an initial $ 123.2 million to be part of the facility’s purchase mechanism, making it eligible to receive offers to purchase vaccines when they become available.
This opens up supply options in addition to Australia’s current vaccine supply agreements with the University of Oxford / AstraZeneca and the University of Queensland / CSL.
“Whoever finds a Covid-19 vaccine must share it”, Minister of Health Greg hunt it said in a statement Wednesday.
“Australia’s registration at the Covax facility is an important part of our commitment to this principle.
“We are giving Australians the best opportunity to access a safe and effective vaccine, but also our neighbors in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, and partners abroad.”
The Covax facility was established by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance as part of an international vaccine partnership with the Coalition for Innovations in Epidemic Preparedness, WHO and other organizations.
Its goal is to ensure equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines by facilitating purchases, access to finance for developing countries, and allowing countries to trade or donate doses.
This is Australia’s second commitment to the Covax facility after it donated $ 80 million in August to Covax’s Advanced Market Commitment to provide doses to developing countries.
Eighty countries, including Australia, have joined the Covax Facility and another 92 countries are eligible to access vaccines through the Advanced Market Engagement.
In addition to the allocations for each country, the Covax facility will retain 10% of manufactured doses to address sporadic outbreaks and for humanitarian use.
