Switzerland has confirmed its participation in the World Health Organization (WHO)’s COVAX initiative aimed at ensuring equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines when they are approved.
The government confirmed on September 18 its participation in the initiative to secure vaccines for 20% of the population, it said in a press releaseExternal link on Friday.
“In order to secure a fair distribution of Covid-19 vaccines across the globe, nations across the world have formed the COVAX initiative (COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility) and created a pooled procurement mechanism,” it explained.
More than 60 higher income economies have joined COVAX, according to a September 21 WHO press releaseExternal link. It said more were expected to sign up in coming days. They are joined by 92 low- and middle-income economies eligible for support for the procurement of vaccines. The aim is to procure two billion doses of vaccines from a range of manufacturers by the end of 2021.
Funds, procurement
Switzerland will contribute CHF20 million ($22 million), according to the government press release. In addition, so-called self-financing countries – that is, higher-income countries such as Switzerland – may contribute additional funds to secure Covid-19 vaccines for their own populations.
Switzerland has also signed a contract with the US firm Moderna Therapeutics for the purchase of 4.5 million doses of vaccine and is in conversation with other vaccine manufacturers. Bern says joining the COVAX initiative is a complementary measure to these procurement efforts.
COVAX is co-led by the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the WHO. Switzerland has been among the initiative’s supporters from the beginning and, together with Singapore, has “led a group of likeminded countries to supervise the development of the COVAX Facility from the perspective of self-financing countries”.
Swiss car importer ordered to pay CHF4.2 million CO2 penalty
This content was published on
In finding that a car importer engaged in dishonest practices must pay a multimillion-dollar fine, the court also clarified the penalties in general.
Large viewership tuned into controversial 2024 Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
Switzerland was one countries boasting more viewers than ever before. A large proportion of younger viewers were also found to have tuned in.
Switzerland Tourism takes stock of three years of pandemic recovery
This content was published on
2023 saw an unprecedented number of overnight guests, suggesting that the industry has been able to bounce back through additional funding, marketing and development.
This content was published on
The bank's CEO acknowledges that the institution is "too big to fail." There is however disagreement with certain of the proposed regulations.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Covid-19 vaccine: when, and for whom?
This content was published on
It’s the question we all want an answer to: when will there be a vaccine against Covid-19? And how is fair access being negotiated?
Switzerland pre-orders 4.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine
This content was published on
The Swiss government has signed a deal with US biotech firm Moderna to secure early access to 4.5 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine currently in development.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.