SUVA, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- The South Pacific island nation of Tonga confirmed on Wednesday its intention to join COVAX to access COVID-19 vaccines.
According to Matangi Tonga Online, Tonga's news website, Tonga's Ministry of Health Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Siale'Akau'ola said on Wednesday that the island nation has provided an Expression of Interest to join COVAX to access COVID-19 vaccines.
"In terms of payment, negotiation is still ongoing and Tonga is starting to talk with various development partners who have shown interest to support us, on possible options to consider,"he said.
While explaining COVAX plans to provide COVID-19 vaccines to about 20 percent of a country's total population, he said that there is a recommendation to use this available vaccine, firstly to vaccinate vulnerable priority population. This group will include the aged/elderly, people with co-morbidity and frontline workers and health staff - involved in COVID-19 preparedness and response activities.
It will also include other high-risk population that will be decided by each nation's relevant authority in accordance to preferably, a scientifically based criteria for immunizing the population, he added.
Co-led by the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), COVAX is aiming to deliver two billion doses of safe, effective vaccines that have passed regulatory approval and/or WHO prequalification by the end of 2021.
A recent statement from GAVI showed that 172 economies are now engaged in discussions to potentially participate in COVAX which will enable countries to have access to the world's most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolio, which currently includes nine candidate vaccines and a further nine candidates under evaluation for inclusion. Enditem
