Start of supply of new corona vaccine under the international framework.

Supply of the new coronavirus vaccine has begun under an international framework for fair distribution to the entire world including developing countries, but it takes time to reach each country and the amount of vaccine is insufficient. The challenges of are highlighted.

The COVAX Facility, a framework led by the United Nations and other organizations, aims to have 190 countries and regions participate and developed countries to contribute funds to distribute vaccines fairly to each country, including developing countries.

This framework delivered the first vaccine to Ghana in West Africa on the 24th of last month.

After that, more than 20 million doses were supplied to 20 countries by the 5th, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola in Africa, and Cambodia in Asia.

However, many countries are still waiting for vaccines to arrive and supply is slow.

In addition, up to 20% of the population of each country is supplied in this framework, and it is necessary to acquire the so-called herd immunity state, in which many people have immunity, which makes it difficult for the infection to spread. Not enough to inoculate more than 70% of the world's population.

Furthermore, it will take the whole year to achieve the 20% supply to developing countries, which COVAX is aiming for.

It is not easy to eliminate the "vaccine gap" in developing countries, where vaccination is delayed compared to developed countries. We are calling for further support so that we can prioritize it.

African countries waiting for vaccines Dissatisfied with supply delays

In Cape Verde, Africa, COVAX will be supplied with vaccines developed by major American pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, but the supply has been delayed.

According to WHO = World Health Organization, 13 countries in Africa requested this vaccine because it needs to be controlled at low temperature during transportation and storage, but it was approved in consideration of the management system. In addition to Cape Verde, there were four countries: Rwanda, Tunisia, and South Africa.

In the government-controlled drug warehouse in the capital city of Praia, a special freezer that can handle minus 80 degrees Celsius was newly imported in preparation for vaccine supply, and four units were installed.

A person in charge at the scene said, "I am looking forward to receiving the vaccine."

However, supply to Cape Verde has been delayed from the originally planned late last month, and the government has so far predicted that it will be in the middle of this month.

In an interview with NHK, the director of Cape Verde, who is in charge of securing and supplying vaccines, said, "We have been preparing to inoculate medical personnel while controlling at a low temperature, but the schedule is clear. I don't want to supply it promptly. "

Predicament tourism "African vaccination delays are unfair"

Cape Verde, an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean in western Africa, has a mild climate throughout the year, with nearly 1 million tourists visiting each year, mainly in Europe, and the tourism industry accounts for about 25% of GDP = gross domestic product. It is a pillar.

In Cape Verde, the border was closed for more than half a year from March last year, and international flights were restricted, being wary of the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

Even after the resumption of international flights, tourists have hardly returned, and the beaches with white sands are quiet.

Vino Santos, 42, who runs a hotel in the center of the capital city of Praia, renovated the hotel in 2008 at a cost of nearly 130 million yen in Japanese yen, and sales have been steadily increasing. The number of hotel guests has dropped sharply, and last year's sales fell by 90% compared to the previous year.

Mr. Santos said, "The government plans to give priority to people working in the tourism industry, so I want to get vaccinated sooner. Compared to Europe and other countries, vaccination is delayed in Africa. I'm sorry and I think it's unfair. "

“Excessive hoarding in some developed countries”

Regarding the "COVAX Facility," an international framework for the equitable distribution of vaccines, WHO, director of the Cape Verde office of the World Health Organization, said, "There is a problem with the speed of actual supply. In some African countries. It's starting to arrive, but at Cape Verde and elsewhere, we're still waiting, "he said, emphasizing the need for faster supply.

Regarding the delay in supply, Director Agudelo said, "Some countries have secured vaccines for four or five times the population. Pandemic is affected not only in specific countries but in all countries of the world, and the world It is necessary to face them all at once, "he said, criticizing the over-buying in some developed countries.

Supply 20 million times in 20 countries by 5th

190 countries and regions around the world are participating in the COVAX Facility, an international framework led by WHO = World Health Organization and UNICEF = United Nations Children's Fund, aiming for fair distribution of vaccines for the new coronavirus.

Under this framework, 98 developed countries and others have funded and invested in 10 vaccine programs that are going on around the world, financially supporting development and manufacturing.

Vaccines such as AstraZeneca and Moderna have also been developed with these funds.

Funding countries can purchase vaccines for up to 20% of the population with their own funds.

On the other hand, developing countries where it is difficult to secure purchase funds can receive vaccines up to 20% of the national population based on contributions from other countries and organizations.

COVAX delivered the first vaccine in this framework to Ghana, West Africa on the 24th of last month, and started vaccination of healthcare professionals from the 1st of this month.

According to WHO, more than 20 million vaccines have been supplied to 20 countries such as Africa and Asia by the 5th of this month through COVAX.

COVAX plans to supply 336 million vaccines such as AstraZeneca and 1.2 million vaccines such as Pfizer to 145 countries and regions such as developing countries during the first half of this year.

UNICEF developing country delays "ethically unacceptable"

In an interview with NHK, Benjamin Schreiber of UNICEF-UN Children's Fund, who is in charge of supplying to developing countries at the "COVAX Facility," points out that although supply has started, there are still many challenges.

"The supply of vaccines, which require transportation and storage at extremely low temperatures, is so complex that even developed countries are lagging behind. In countries with weak medical systems, the difficulty is. It will increase further, "he pointed out the challenges in developing countries.

Prior to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, UNICEF has installed a total of 40,000 solar-powered refrigerators in developing countries to supply vaccines for pneumonia that require refrigeration.

"We need to prepare for acceptance as more vaccines will be supplied in the future. We will further strengthen our cold transportation system by this summer," Schreiber said in a hurry.

On the other hand, regarding the difference in supply speed between developed and developing countries, "The situation where only wealthy countries get vaccines is ethically unacceptable. Everyone must be protected from the virus. Instead, people at high risk, including developing countries, should be vaccinated. "He pointed out that regardless of the country's economic strength, vaccination should be given to medical workers and the elderly.