For most of 2021, COVAX and global vaccine equity efforts were weakened by vaccine nationalism, which WHO’s Director-General summarized as a “handful of rich countries gobbling up the anticipated supply as manufacturers sell to the highest bidder, while the rest of the world scrambles for the scraps”. 

COVAX was also undermined by: a lack of the early funding essential to purchasing the first doses available; supply being directed at surges; and manufacturing and regulatory delays. 

As a result, COVAX was unable to get the supply it wanted or at best it was unpredictable, delayed and limited visibility, which hindered rollouts and was a factor in undermining confidence in vaccination and specific products.  

With supply constraints lifting, COVAX is moving into Phase 2 of its allocation mechanism. Still focused on equity, Phase 2 will move from a push, supply-driven approach to a pull, demand and absorption capacity-driven approach.  

Vaccine allocation decisions made from April 2022 fall into Phase 2, with all previous decisions coming under Phase 1 – see the Independent Allocation of Vaccines Group (IAVG) documents and reports for documents from Phase 1.  

Phase 2 goals:

• Support all countries’ ambitions to control the disease and “reopen society” in 2022. 
• Contribute to countries’ vaccination coverage goals, in view of the WHO-UN 2022 Global Vaccine Strategy coverage targets, including 70% of the population in every country, and in consideration of supply beyond COVAX. 

Phase 2 objectives: 

• Enhance supply security to maintaining diversity in COVAX’s portfolio 
• Provide greater predictability to participants and enhance clarity and understanding of the allocation for participants 
• Enhance simplicity and flexibility to adapt to uncertainty and changing circumstances and reduce transaction costs 
• Guarantee continuity of supply and support tailored portfolio approach for all, to enhance program implementation in line with SAGE recommendations