COVAX: ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines

UNICEF is leading global efforts in the world’s largest and fastest ever procurement and supply of vaccines. We are working to ensure all countries that are part of the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX) have equitable access to 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.

UNICEF is also working to support countries to ‘ready’ their immunization programs for this historic roll-out. This includes helping countries to strengthen their cold and supply chains, training health workers, and working with communities in building trust in vaccines.

How will UNICEF deliver COVID-19 vaccines?

Through the COVAX Facility, UNICEF is working with manufacturers and partners on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as freight, logistics and storage. 

In collaboration with the PAHO Revolving Fund, we are leading the procurement and delivery for 92 low- and lower middle-income countries while also supporting procurement for more than 97 upper-middle-income and high-income nations. Together, these represent more than four-fifths of the world’s population.

What is COVAX?

COVAX is the vaccines arm of the ACT Accelerator, a global collaboration to accelerate development, production, and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. It aims to ensure that every country gets fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.

COVAX is the only global effort of its kind and the only chance that many low-and middle-income countries have of securing doses of these vaccines. Its portfolio of COVID-19 vaccine candidates is the largest in the world.

Why is UNICEF involved in COVAX?

As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, UNICEF has a unique and longstanding expertise in procurement and logistics to help children in need. UNICEF procures more than 2 billion doses of vaccines annually for routine immunisation and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries. 

We are the main procurement partner of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and have helped reach more than 760 million children with life-saving vaccines over the last 20 years, preventing more than 13 million deaths.

In vaccinating health workers globally, we ensure that they can get back to work so that children and their mothers get the critical health care they need - vaccinations, treatment for malnutrition and other deadly diseases such as malaria and diarrhea, as well as obstetric, prenatal and post-natal care along with services for newborns. We cannot let one disease lead to outbreaks of other diseases that could reverse years of progress in child health.