In this Issue Brief we review and assess the COVAX Humanitarian Buffer mechanism, which is part of the effort to share Covid vaccines globally. The Buffer is intended to direct vaccines to vulnerable people like refugees and others facing humanitarian emergencies during the pandemic, and was supported by the US and many other donors and organizations. However, it faced many challenges such as liability and indemnification issues for using newly developed vaccines, restricted access to vaccines and funding, and difficult and complex application, review, and implementation processes. We discuss these challenges and also consider implications of the Buffer experience for future pandemic preparedness and response efforts.
