COVAX in the MENA Region
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, GLIDE realised that while it did not have the capacity to take on COVID, it could and should take account of it. Therefore, GLIDE, with funding and support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and support from Global Health Strategies (GHS), developed an advocacy initiative aimed at increasing awareness of and support for COVAX in the MENA region.
ADVOCATING FOR VACCINE EQUITY AND PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS
In early 2021, GLIDE developed an advocacy initiative aimed at increasing awareness and support for the COVAX facility in the MENA region, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and support from Global Health Strategies. The initiative aimed to amplify regional achievements and encourage positive engagement around the importance of vaccine equity. Activities included the development of an interactive platform that encourages regional discussion and information sharing, and a map that highlighted the current state of COVID-19 and vaccination efforts in each MENA country. The open-source map is available here.
This work has evolved to focus on broader advocacy for vaccine equity and pandemic preparedness. GLIDE is an active member of the Pandemic Action Network, joining over 250 organizations committed to health systems strengthening and preparing health systems, economies, and governments for the next pandemic.
