USA: Food & Drug Administration approved single-shot COVID-19 vaccine

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its approval for the single-shot Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. This is the third vaccine which was authorised in the United States.

Highlights

It is a cost-effective alternative vaccine of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. This vaccine can be stored in the refrigerator rather than a freezer. The first doses of the vaccines will be available in second week of March 2021 for the public.

Who else will get the vaccines?

The countries including United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU) and Canada have already ordered the vaccine doses. Further, 500 million doses have been ordered in accordance with the COVAX scheme so as to supply the vaccines to poorer countries.

COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Scheme

It is a global initiative which was launched with the aim of providing equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccines. The scheme is led by Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), World Health Organization (WHO) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The scheme is one among the three pillars of “Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator” which is an initiative launched in April 2020 by World Health Organization, European Commission, and government of France to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVAX scheme was launched with the aim of coordinating with the international resources in order to establish the system of equitable access of COVID-19 vaccines.

Who have joined the scheme?

So far, 165 countries have joined COVAX scheme that represents around 60% of population.

Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT Accelerator)

It is a Global Collaboration to Accelerate Development, Production and Equitable Access to New COVID-19 vaccines. It was launched by G20 countries. This initiative was announced by Mohammed al-Jadaan in April 2020.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2021