Table 1 COVAX glossary [15,16,17,18]

COVAX: The vaccine pillar of the Access to Covid-19 Tool Accelerator (ACT-A), that aims to accelerate the development and production of Covid-19 vaccines, and “guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world”. Co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

COVAX Facility: The procurement arm of COVAX that buys vaccines through Advance Purchased Agreements for 177 participating countries, administered by Gavi.

COVAX Advanced Market Commitment (AMC): The financing instrument that supports 92 low- and middle-income countries (so called ‘AMC countries’) to access donor-funded doses via the COVAX Facility. Has raised over USD 9.7 billion.

Self-financing countries: Countries that procure vaccine doses through the COVAX Facility, financing the purchase by themselves.

Dose-sharing: Doses provided to the COVAX Facility to be redistributed to COVAX participants (prioritizing AMC countries). The shared doses should preferably be donated to COVAX, but the initiative may also “consider contributing to the costs of doses at COVAX Facility price” (COVAX principles).

COVAX no fault compensation program: A liability scheme designed to provide “a lump sum compensation to any individual in the AMC countries who suffers a serious adverse event from any vaccine procured or distributed through COVAX”.

COVAX fair allocation mechanism: The normative principles that guide the allocation of vaccine doses through COVAX and ensure “fair access and equitable allocation”.

Independent Allocation Validation Group (IAVG): Composed of 12 independent experts nominated by COVAX co-leaders (Gavi, CEPI, and the WHO). Reviews COVAX allocation proposals and ensures their adherence to the fair allocation mechanism.

Advanced Purchase Agreement: Public authorities’ contract with a supplier to de-risk a company’s investment by providing upfront payment and guarantee to purchase a good.

Dose-sharing principles: COVAX developed five principles to maximize the impact of dose-sharing: 1) Doses must be safe and effective; 2) should be donated as soon as possible in 2021; 3) shipped directly from the manufacturer; 4) left unearmarked; and 5) in sufficient and predictable volumes.