Covovax

Covovax

Part of: Prelims and GS-II – Health

Context The WHO said it had granted emergency approval to the India-manufactured coronavirus vaccine Covovax.

Key takeaways 

• The vaccine is produced by the Serum Institute of India under licence from the U.S.-based Novavax. 
• It will now be distributed as part of global vaccine-sharing system COVAX . 
• Covovax requires two doses and is stable at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius refrigerated temperatures.

What is COVAX? 

• The COVAX program is led by the vaccine alliance GAVI, WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) in partnership with UNICEF, vaccine manufacturers and the World Bank, among others.
• Aim: To ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally 
• It is supposed to be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.
• The program wants to vaccinate roughly 20% of the population in the 92 Advance Market Commitment (AMC) countries, which include middle and lower-income nations that cannot afford to pay for COVID-19 vaccines.