150 countries sign up for COVID-vaccine plan

July 15, 2020 23:43

More than 70 rich countries have signed up to a global coronavirus vaccine initiative intended to ensure that any effective shots are fairly distributed around the world - but which may also allow them to buy more vaccines to stockpile for their own citizens.

In a statement on Wednesday, the vaccines alliance Gavi reported that 75 countries have said they would join its new "Covax facility" along with another 90 low-income countries that hope to receive donated vaccines.

Gavi told donor governments that when an effective inoculation is found within its pool of COVID-19 candidates, all countries will receive enough to cover 20 per cent of their populations, including rich countries that may have their own stockpiles. It said countries would be encouraged, but not required, to give up any doses they might not need.

"For the vast majority of countries, whether they can afford to pay for their own doses or require assistance, it means receiving a guaranteed share of doses and avoiding being pushed to the back of the queue," Gavi CEO Seth Berkley said in a statement.

Dozens of vaccines are being researched, and some countries, including Britain, France, Germany and the United States, already have ordered hundreds of millions of doses before the vaccines are even proven to work.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Abhishek aims to deliver big in every innings

Abhishek said he has benefitted a lot after working with batting great Brian Lara, who was involved with the franchise in the past.

It's scary bowling to Abhishek: Pat Cummins

Abhishek has put fear in the minds of bowlers, including Cummins, his skipper at Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi suffers 'hard landing'

The details of the incident remain unknown as of now, however, initial reports suggest that the accident involved the president's helicopter and foggy weather.

In Pictures - Sunrisers demolish Punjab Kings to go second

Images from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad, at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium, Hyderabad, on Sunday.

Luxury car mows down 2 in Pune; teen driver's father, bar to be booked

The 17-year-old car driver was detained after a case was registered against him. He was produced in a juvenile court which granted him bail, they said.