COVAX: Ghana was the first country to receive COVID-19 vaccine doses

On 24 February 2021, Ghana became the first country to receive COVID-19 vaccines via COVAX.

600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Accra from the Serum Institute of India, and since then deliveries have continued around the world. On 1 March 2021, vaccinations began in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, making them the first countries in the African Region to launch COVID-19 vaccination campaigns using COVAX doses. Priority was given to health workers and vulnerable populations.

COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and WHO working in partnership with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers, UNICEF, PAHO Revolving Fund, the World Bank, and others. It is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.