A UN-backed programme to make Covid-19 vaccines available to the neediest people worldwide, especially in poor countries, announced that it plans an initial distribution of some 100 million doses by the end of March and more than 200 million more by the end of June. The COVAX Facility, which is seeking the fair distribution of vaccines at a time of short supplies, said that nearly all of the doses expected for the first phase will come from British-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca and its partner, the Serum Institute of India. COVAX has faced challenges as rich countries have scooped up vaccine supplies undercutting WHO's goal of equitable vaccine distribution.