COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access, abbreviated as COVAX, is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and the World Health Organization (WHO). A joint statement released on July 1, 2021, by COVAX has urged on the equal recognition of vaccination to all the nations. COVAX has urged all regional, national, and local government authorities to recognise the fully vaccinated people who have received COVID-19 vaccines that have been deemed safe and effective.
COVAX was built on the principle of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines to protect the health of people all across the globe which means protecting their lives and livelihoods, including their ability to travel and conduct trade. As travel and other possibilities begin to open up in some parts of the world, it has urged nations to recognize the fully vaccinated people and/or the 11 Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRAs) approved for COVID-19 vaccines, when making decisions on who is able to travel or attend events.
The statement mentions, ‘Any measure that only allows people protected by a subset of WHO-approved vaccines to benefit from the re-opening of travel into and with that region would effectively create a two-tier system, further widening the global vaccine divide and exacerbating the inequities we have already seen in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. It would negatively impact the growth of economies that are already suffering the most.’
According to the statement, not getting vaccine recognition undermines confidence in life-saving vaccines that have already been shown to be safe and effective and at a time when the world is trying to resume trade, commerce, and travel, this is counter-effective, both in spirit and outcome.
COVAX also praised countries that have already shown commitment to equity as well as safety by accepting travellers protected by all vaccines validated by WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) and/or the 11 Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRAs) approved for vaccines.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)