China joins COVAX coronavirus vaccine alliance

Context: China, which has four coronavirus vaccine candidates in stage 3 clinical trials, is joining the coronavirus vaccine alliance known as COVAX.

• The country signed an agreement with GAVI, the co-leader of the alliance.
• It is not yet clear the exact terms of the agreement and how China will contribute.

COVAX vaccine alliance

• The alliance is designed so that richer countries agree to buy into potential vaccines and help finance access for poorer ones.
• US had declined to join the alliance.
• It is an alliance of governments, global health organisations, manufacturers, scientists, private sector, civil society and philanthropy, with the aim of providing innovative and equitable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.
• It is the only effort to ensure that people in all corners of the world will get access to COVID-19 vaccines once they are available, regardless of their wealth.
• It is coordinated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the WHO
• COVAX will act as a platform that will support the research, development and manufacturing of a wide range of COVID-19 vaccine candidates, and negotiate their pricing.
• All participating countries, regardless of income levels, will have equal access to these vaccines once they are developed.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-joins-covax-coronavirus-vaccine-alliance/article32809915.ece?homepage=true

https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/covax-explained