How Unicef is preparing for challenge of getting Covid-19 vaccines to poorer countries

Richer nations have already acted to secure supplies, but less developed countries are relying on the Covax Facility to ensure fair access

The UN agency will play a key role in the facility’s distribution chain alongside the Pan American Health Organisation

Reading Time:3 minutes

Unicef workers take delivery in Nigeria of health supplies to support the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Unicef

Published: 9:00am, 29 Nov 2020Updated: 10:05pm, 29 Nov 2020

While the world is becoming increasingly optimistic about the chances of an effective coronavirus vaccine becoming available soon, developing countries cannot breathe a sigh of relief just yet.

Advanced economies such as the United States, Canada, Britain and the European Union have prepared more than enough doses to vaccinate their entire populations through pre-order agreements.

But most low or lower-income countries are relying on the Covax Facility, a global initiative designed to ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines funded by richer countries.

It has so far secured 700 million doses of vaccines and aims to distribute 2 billion next year, mainly for frontline health care and social workers, as well as high-risk and vulnerable groups.

It also faces the challenge of delivering vaccines to those developing countries, a mammoth project even for Unicef, the world’s largest vaccine buyer.

The agency, which procures more than 2 billion doses of vaccines annually, will be responsible for supplying Covid-19 vaccines for most low to middle-income Covax members.

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