China joined an international initiative effort that aims to distribute coronavirus vaccines around the world over the next couple of years.
Under the initiative called Covax, countries agree to buy into potential vaccines and help finance access for poorer nations. However, some countries, including the United States, have already negotiated their own deals with pharmaceutical companies.
The World Health Organization, which helps lead Covax, welcomed China’s participation, saying, “The number of countries joining the Covax facility grows every day, and we are pleased to see China formally join.”
Other countries that have backed Covax include the members of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
China has at least four COVID-19 vaccine candidates in the last stage of clinical trials. Chinese President Xi Jinping has already vowed to make whatever vaccine his country produces a public good and distribute shots in Africa after China completes its own immunization program.
The U.S. refused to join Covax over objections made by President Trump, who claimed the program was “influenced by the corrupt WHO and China.”
Around the globe, there have been more than 36 million cases of COVID-19, and the coronavirus death toll has risen above one million.
