WHO vaccine project in jeopardy as concerns grow over rollout for world’s poorest nations

The Covax Facility was established with the aim of securing access to vaccines for the world’s most vulnerable populations – but questions about its effectiveness are being raised. Samuel Lovett considers whether the project can still deliver on its promises

The programme is £3.69bn short of the money it needs to pay for its supplies throughout 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

As the western world pushes ahead with its plans to vaccinate populations against Covid-19, the rollout of life-saving doses for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people appears to be stalling.

Once hailed as a project to help the world tackle coronavirus as one, the global vaccine alliance spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) is facing a “very high” risk of failure, according to industry insiders and leaked documents seen by The Independent.

The Covax Facility was first established in April “to secure access to safe and effective Covid-19 vaccines” through a portfolio of candidates. It aims to deliver at least two billion doses by the end of 2021 – the majority of which, it’s hoped, will cover 20 per cent of people in 92 low and middle-income countries, mostly in Africa, Asia and Latin America.