The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced Monday it was creating a new whole-of-government effort, the Initiative for Global Vaccine Access (Global VAX), to accelerate efforts worldwide to provide COVID-19 shots and overcome access barriers to vaccines, with a priority on supporting countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
USAID Administrator Samantha Power said Global VAX will commit $400 million in American Rescue Plan funds, in addition to the $1.3 billion already committed to vaccine readiness. Those funds, provided by Congress, would bolster cold chain supply and logistics, service delivery, vaccine confidence and demand, human resources, data and analytics, local planning, and vaccine safety and effectiveness.
“This work is already paying dividends, but there is more to be done,” the group said in a statement. “The emergence of COVID-19 hotspots and variants including Delta and Omicron further underscore the importance of our global fight. Vaccinating the world is the best way to prevent future variants that could threaten the health of Americans and undermine our economic recovery. As more vaccine supply flows to low- and middle-income countries, the United States and other donors must redouble efforts to help countries efficiently and effectively receive, distribute, and administer doses.”
The funding includes$315 million to support vaccine delivery and get shots in the arms of residents in low- and middle-income countries; $10 million to support in-country vaccine manufacturing; and $75 million for additional support for USAID’s Rapid Response Surge Support.
Powell announced the effort during a meeting of key international development partners worldwide, convened to discuss the next phase of actions needed to combat the pandemic.