Vaccine Capped at US$3 per dose in LMICs
The GAVI Vaccine Alliance announced a landmark collaboration last month that aims to expand existing vaccine capacity so that production can begin as soon as a COVID-19 vaccine is approved, which could be as early as 2021. The partnership includes the Gates Foundation, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations as well as the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world leading vaccine manufacturer. The former would provide US$150 million in initial funding to support vaccine production for low- and middle-income countries who are often relegated to the back of the line for new therapeutics or vaccines. As part of the agreement, SII would develop candidate vaccines that are licensed to the WHO prequalification, at a capped price of US$3 per dose. The development would be part of the COVAX Facility, a collaboration between the WHO, Gavi, and CEPI to share the risks of vaccine development, invest in manufacturing, and pool purchasing power to deliver vaccines equally among all countries. The advance marketing commitment part of the COVAX Facility provides vaccine purchase funding for 92 low- and middle-income countries.