The board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has approved the allocation of up to 5% of total vaccine doses procured via COVAX for high-risk populations in humanitarian settings. The so-called COVAX Buffer also allows for the emergency release of vaccine doses in case of severe outbreaks of COVID-19.
The allocation is equivalent to up to 100 million vaccine doses for 2021, according to the news release. All COVAX participant countries, regardless of income, will have access to doses allocated for the buffer.
Why it matters: The buffer ensures populations in countries, such as those in conflict or living in non government-controlled areas, get access to COVID-19 vaccines. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee, composed of the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations, estimates 167 million are at risk of being excluded from COVID-19 vaccinations, of which more than two-thirds reside in countries eligible for vaccines under COVAX’s Advance Market Commitment.
What is the caveat: The use of the buffer for emergency situations to address COVID-19 outbreaks is only possible after all COVAX participant countries have been allocated a base amount of vaccine doses.
About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
