One organization leading the effort to get COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries says in a report that the plan faces a “very high” risk of failure. Reuters news agency examined documents from the report, which has not been made public. The report was prepared for high-level officials at Gavi, an alliance of governments, drug companies, aid groups and international organizations. Gavi leads the COVAX vaccine campaign along with the World Health Organization, or WHO, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. COVAX is the main plan to vaccinate people in poor and middle-income countries against COVID-19. It aims to give out at least two billion vaccine doses by the end of 2021. That would cover 20 percent of people most at risk in 91 of the countries, which are mostly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. But Gavi’s internal report says the COVAX program is struggling from a lack of money. The plan also faces supply risks and complex contract agreements that could make it impossible to reach its goals.
