(Adds details of new agreements)
GENEVA, Dec 18 (Reuters) - The COVAX alliance which aims to
secure COVID-19 vaccines for the world's most vulnerable people
said on Friday it had gained access to nearly 2 billion doses,
roughly doubling its supply, with the first deliveries expected
in the first quarter of 2021.
The initiative run by the Gavi vaccine alliance and World
Health Organization (WHO) said that it aimed to deliver 1.3
billion doses of approved vaccines next year to 92 eligible low-
and middle-income economies.
All 190 economies that have agreed to participate in the
programme will "have access to doses in the first half of 2021,
with first deliveries anticipated to begin in the first quarter
of 2021 – contingent upon regulatory approvals and countries’
readiness for delivery," it said in a statement.
"Today’s announcements offer the clearest pathway yet to end
the acute phase of the pandemic by protecting the most
vulnerable populations around the world," it added.
New agreements announced on Friday include an advance
purchase agreement with AstraZeneca for 170 million
doses, and a memorandum of understanding for 500 million doses
from Johnson & Johnson.
Gavi, an alliance of drug companies, governments,
international organisations and private charities to develop
global vaccine programmes, set up COVAX in April with the WHO to
ensure access to poor and middle income countries for COVID-19
shots.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay, Writing by Peter Graff,
Editing by Timothy Heritage)