Action plan
Our road map identified three broad targets and actions needed to meet those targets, as well as financing needs for each action. The targets: vaccinating at least 40 percent of the population in all countries by the end of 2021 and 70 percent by the first half of 2022; tracking and insuring against downside risks (due to the rise of new variants or supply-chain problems); and saving lives by ensuring widespread access to tests, treatments, personal protective equipment, and other critical health tools.
Progress toward the key actions needed to achieve those targets has been mixed, and we are still behind. As of the end of October, some 75 to 80 nations, mostly in Africa, were not on track to meet the end-2021 40 percent vaccination target. Fifty-five of these countries will likely have problems primarily with supply, whereas 24 will have both supply and absorption-capacity issues.
Our plan recommends the following near-term actions to end the pandemic and support a broad-based economic recovery.
Immediately closing the 550 million dose gap to achieve 40 percent coverage by accelerating existing dose donations to the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility, an initiative aimed at equitable distribution of vaccines, and pledging new donations; executing dose swaps with COVAX and the African Union (that is, deferring the delivery of doses intended for Group of Twenty [G20] countries to allow developing economies to move up in the queue); and eliminating restrictions on exports of vaccines and critical inputs.
Committing to financing the new ACT-Accelerator budget of about $23 billion to ensure that all countries can access the necessary volume of vaccines, tests, treatments, and personal protective equipment. (The ACT-Accelerator is a partnership of the world’s international health organizations to fight COVID-19.)
Maintaining collective accountability of progress against the targets through frequent engagement between Group of Seven advanced economies, the broader G20, and other key stakeholders.
Beyond the near term, it will be important to expand regional manufacturing capacity of vaccines in developing economies and monitor risks.