UN-backed program trims forecast to supply COVID-19 vaccine
GENEVA (AP) — A public health group that manages the U.N.-backed program to ship COVID-19 vaccines to poor countries is paring back its supply forecast for this year by more than 100 million doses, largely because a key Indian manufacturer has focused on needs at home.
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, says it now projects that the COVAX program can supply just under 1.9 billion doses this year -- including about 1.5 billion provided for free to 92 poor countries -- down from original targets of more than 2 billion doses.
The shortfall comes because the Serum Institute of India -- a pivotal producer of vaccines for COVAX -- has reverted supplies to needy people in India, as its government scrambled to fight a spike in infections.
So far, COVAX has only distributed about 90 million doses, far short of its original plans.
Recent dose-sharing announcements by rich countries like the United States that have or are nearing excess supply of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to help fill the gap by several hundred million doses, according to a Gavi official.
Uncertainties remain in the new supply forecast, including when large-scale exports of vaccines will resume from the Serum Institute; regulatory processes for candidate vaccines such as one from Novavax, another key potential supplier; and when countries actually donate doses.
The World Health Organization has repeatedly urged wealthy countries to do more to release stockpiles of, or rights to, vaccines to offset unequal access to coronavirus shots. It says the vast majority of vaccinations so far have been in the developed world.
WHO officials insist the timing of vaccine deliveries is crucial, with doses needed now to prevent the emergence of worrying new variants like the delta variant, which originally appeared in India and...
