The PAHO/WHO Representative in Colombia highlighted the historical advances taking place in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, with currently more than 200 experimental vaccines being developed, 24 of which are being tested on human beings and five in Phase III of their clinical testing. These results are part of our global initiative called "Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator", ACT-A, that seeks to accelerate global access to diagnostic tests, generate adoption of therapies for prevention and treatment, and develop, manufacture and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. As part of ACT-A, and in collaboration with GAVI, PAHO/WHO and other world partners created the COVAX Facility to guarantee fast and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for every country.
The PAHO/WHO Representative explained that the PAHO Vaccines Revolving Fund can be used as a strategic tool for the purchase and distribution in the Americas of vaccines against COVID-19 when these become available. Member States will be able to benefit from the Organization's technical experience, as well as from its decades of experience in the safe distribution of vaccines.
The Organization will also ensure that the process will be as inclusive as possible with an equitable distribution of vaccines among participant countries. The safety of vaccines is a serious matter and WHO has established a committee that will use established criteria, including safety, to help the prioritization of global investments in the development and procurement of vaccines.