Maldives Listed Among 92 Countries Eligible to Access COVID-19 Vaccines

The Covax Facility is co-led by World Health Organization (WHO), GAVI, a Vaccination Alliance and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The facility is currently backing the development of nine vaccine candidates. A successful development of a vaccine against COVID-19 is the most pressing challenge of our time but also the best shot at ending the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccination of health care workers and those most-at-risk will impact positively in mitigating public health and economic impact of the pandemic.

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COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) was formed as part of the Covax Facility which was launched on June 4^th, aiming to ensure rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. For this purpose, they will be securing doses of COVID-19 vaccines for 92 low- and middle-income countries and economies at the same time as wealthier nations. The list specifically comprises of countries with economies with Gross National Income (GNI) per capita figures below $4000 and other countries that qualify for assistance from World Bank International Development Association (IDA).

COVAX AMC will be partially covering the cost of vaccine procurement for the listed countries under the project. Maldives was listed under 92 low and middle income countries eligible to access COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC). The amount of positive cases recorded in the country has exceeded 10k, whilst number of recovered cases amount to 86.4%.

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The aim of Covax facility is to have 2 billion doses available by the end of 2021, which, according to GAVI, should be enough to protect high risk and vulnerable people, as well as front-line healthcare worker. On September 26^th, WHO has appealed to the global community regarding the facilitation of $16 billion required to carry out the work of Covax Facility. Only $2 billion has been pledged up to date.