COMMENT | Vaccines are a global public good

COMMENT | It has been a year since the Covid-19 disease became a worldwide pandemic. Already more than 2.2 million people have died of this new infection. On all continents, every single country in the world is affected, some more severely than others, but all face the same challenges with a direct impact on public health and economic and social development.

In a major feat, medical research has strained every sinew and managed to develop vaccines in a record-breaking time. Still, problems remain - first and foremost is the issue of the equitable and universal access to vaccines.

In an effort to solve this issue, France, Germany, the European Union and the World Health Organisation came together to launch an initiative called the ”Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator” (Act-A).

It brings together governments, scientists, businesses, civil society, philanthropists and global health organisations. It aims at ensuring universal and equal access to tests, treatments and vaccines against Covid-19 while supporting national health systems.

The Covax Facility comes under this initiative and is dedicated to vaccines. It is the only global initiative that is working with governments and producers to ensure Covid-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.

Encouraging results have been achieved with US$10 billion already raised, which will allow for the delivery of vaccines and the launch of the first vaccination campaigns in member countries, including some lower-income countries, by the end of this month.

As part of its national procurement strategy, Malaysia ...