Scientists around the world are working together to develop a safe, effective vaccine that can end the COVID-19 pandemic. The speed of this effort has been extraordinary and according to the WHO, there are now 200 COVID vaccine candidates currently in development. About 10 of those are in or entering phase 3 trials — the final phase of testing, where a vaccine is tested on large numbers of people.

In 2021, the United Nations hopes 2 billion doses of any COVID vaccine will be available for distribution globally. That is an unprecedented global undertaking, and preparations are underway. UNICEF is already stockpiling half a billion syringes for the effort.

Once we have a vaccine though, we’ll need global cooperation to make sure the vaccine goes to the people who need it most in the places where it will have the most impact. That’s why United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a People’s Vaccine for COVID-19, to ensure everyone has equal access to the vaccine.