Is COVID-19 vaccine inequality undermining the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Abstract

Background The devastating health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a global response in the development of effective vaccines to fight the disease in an extraordinarily short time. Both the development and the production of these vaccines opened a path of hope, but the inequality in vaccine distribution raises great concerns about the possibility of effectively eradicating the virus. Methods It is particularly important to analyse the extent to which vaccines are equally distributed and investigate the possible effects of vaccine inequalities as well as its major drivers. For this purpose, this paper investigates the extent of equitable vaccine distribution using some well-known inequality measures and disentangles the main drivers of the share of vaccination. In addition, the paper analyses the relationship between the vaccination rate, the GDP growth, and the incidence of the coronavirus disease, with the aim of providing empirical evidence on existing relationships worldwide. Results Our findings show that the situation is more challenging in less developed countries, especially African countries, due to weak health systems and low rates of vaccination. Moreover, we find a positive relationship between the share of vaccinated individuals and GDP. Consequently, the poorest, least developed countries with a lower rate of vaccine uptake will experience lower GDP growth. Conclusions Vaccines and the vaccination process reveal the existing inequalities between countries and how they, in turn, impact the well-being of their citizens. People who live in less developed countries have a lower probability of being vaccinated, which translates into a greater probability of dying from COVID. Countries are seeing their economic future compromised by low vaccination levels, given the positive and significant relationship between the vaccination rate and GDP growth. In short, while some countries are trying to get back to some sort of normality, even with some pandemic protocols, the situation in less developed countries is more challenging due to weak health systems and low rates of vaccination. Consequently, the poorest, least developed countries with a lower rate of vaccine penetration will experience lower GDP growth, and the pandemic will have a greater effect on their economy due to low vaccination rates.

Africa vaccinating Africa: Pre- and post-COVID-19 perspectives, challenges, future prospects, and sustainability

“…COVID-19 vaccines were needed urgently, shortening the time needed for vaccine development and increasing the accessibility to potent technology. Advancements in immunotherapy and the new technologies fast-tracked for COVID-19 (RNA vaccines, viral vectors, and protein-based vaccines with potent adjuvants) may provide solutions for some of the contemporary society's most pressing problems, including emerging infections, AMR, chronic diseases, and cancer [ 10 ].…”

“…For example, the East African Community (EAC) unveiled its Regional Pharmaceutical Plan of Action (2017-2027) [ 9 ]. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) amended its Pharmaceutical Business Plan [ 10 ]. This move is crucial because one of the challenges of local African vaccine production is the lack of competent national medicine regulatory authorities (NMRAs).…”

“…South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Morocco have comparable programs. These policies acknowledge, among other things, that domestic pharmaceutical production is a strategic requirement and a viable potential for growth because it can be less expensive than imports and would improve the trade balance [ 10 ]. For instance, Nigeria and Ethiopia could reduce their trade deficit by up to US$200 million annually if domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing increases by about two to three times [ 1 ].…”

More Pain, More Gain! The Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccines and the Pharmaceutical Industry’s Role in Widening the Access Gap

“…17 Many recent studies have been dedicated to presenting the precarious state of global immunization, particularly the atrocious inequality in vaccine access. [18][19][20] In this article, we analyze one of the structural causes of this problem -the corporate profit-driven discretion in vaccine dose allocation, drawing on the existing conflict between corporations and human rights and, more specifically, the responsibilities of companies not to violate human rights. One of the visible consequences of corporate autonomy and the tensions between profitability and the right to health was the COVAX failure.…”

4 COVID-19 Ds to remember when approaching Monkeypox

“…Distribution of vaccines and healthcare support such as medical equipment and pharmaceuticals should follow an equitable approach, prioritizing under-resourced countries and communities across the globe [ 5 ]. Vaccine inequality is a major public health concern [ 6 ]. Low and middle income countries (LMICs) in Africa and Asia have lower rates of vaccinations against COVID-19, and this must not be repeated within the context of monkeypox.…”