In COVID-19 era, Participation in COVAX Facility in Japan

The COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility is operated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi) Alliance, CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) and World Health Organization (WHO). The COVAX Facility is an organization that jointly purchases vaccines. The Advanced Market Commitment (AMC) accelerates vaccine development and production. High- and middle-income countries contribute funds and purchase vaccines for their own countries. On the other hand, vaccines will be supplied to developing countries through contributions from donors (Gavi, COVAX, AMC) such as high- and middle-income countries and organizations.

Contributions from high- and middle-income countries will be used for vaccine development and development of manufacturing facilities. The deadline for responding to the Japanese government's intention to participate in the COVAX Facility was September 18, 2020.

On September 15, 2020, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced that Japanese government would participate in an international mechanism, "COVAX Facility" for joint purchase of COVID-19 vaccine. On September 15, 2020, the Japanese Government decided that Japan's reserve fund would be used as a contribution. CEPI considers nine types of vaccines that support research and development, a wide range of portfolios has been planned.

The decision to participate by the Japanese government is expected to help the Japanese government secure the COVID-19 vaccine. The total amount of COVID-19 vaccine that can be purchased by the Japanese government is 20% of the Japanese population. The Japanese government can secure the right to purchase the COVID-19 vaccine. However, this time, the Japanese government will participate in the purchase option method, which says that it is not obliged to purchase.

By the participation of the Japanese government in the COVAX Facility, the Japanese government has taken the first step to contribute to the supply of COVID-19 vaccine to developing countries.                                                JAMA published on September 27, 2020 by Kyoto@Takuma H