U.S. Enrolls in WHO’s ACT Accelerator Program for Pandemic Relief

The U.S. has joined the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator program, a global effort to speed development and production of coronavirus vaccines, treatments and tests, and to help lower-income nations obtain them.

The WHO claims that the program is still in need of at least $26 billion to achieve its goals of delivering COVID-19 drugs and diagnostics to low- and middle-income countries.

Congress has already allocated $4 billion to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which is co-leading the ACT initiative’s main vaccine pillar, COVAX, and the Biden administration is expected to contribute more in the way of funding.

Three weeks ago, President Biden signed executive orders that reversed the previous administration’s move to leave the WHO, retaining the U.S.’ membership in the organization.