Developing countries lack vaccines

A task force has been established to accelerate access and delivery of COVID vaccines and other essential health products to developing countries. In the interest of transparency, but also to facilitate targeted solutions, the task force is working to compile data on vaccine requests, procurement contracts, deliveries, and deployment in individual countries. The data, which was last updated yesterday, is updated weekly. 

The Task Force is working to identify countries that have placed large orders for vaccines and would be able to donate their surplus stocks to address critical supply shortages in developing countries. His work, based on the IMF/WHO COVID-19 vaccine supply tracking system (a), shows, for example, that the G7 countries as a whole have pre-ordered nearly 2.4 billion doses in excess of what is needed to vaccinate their entire population (equivalent to more than five doses per person). 

Some countries have also signed additional purchase options. Significant delays in vaccine delivery are compounding supply shortages, jeopardizing immunization for people in the poorest countries. According to the latest available data, less than 3% of doses pre-purchased by or on behalf of low-income countries have actually been delivered. The data show huge discrepancies between the number of vaccine doses pre-purchased by low-income countries and the number needed to vaccinate at least 40% of the population in these countries. 

Vaccination rates in developing countries are expected to average only about 20% by the end of 2021, based on current delivery schedules for all vaccine access channels: AVAT, COVAX, bilateral agreements and donations. 

The data clearly show that vaccine delivery timelines are not being met and underscore the urgent need to ensure that doses are delivered on time when ordered.The World Bank has so far approved operations to support immunization efforts in 54 countries, totaling $4.6 billion in funding, with an additional $1.6 billion for projects in the pipeline that are expected to be approved by October.

Our support for vaccine financing will reach up to $12 billion by the end of this year and total $20 billion by the end of 2022, with all of these funds immediately available to recipient countries. In collaboration with WHO, the Gavi Alliance and UNICEF, we have put in place mechanisms designed to support the safe distribution and deployment of vaccines in more than 140 low- and middle-income countries.

We are also mobilizing $7.5 billion in support of COVID-related diagnostics, treatments, and other medical products by the end of 2021, three-quarters of which has already been disbursed.