Worldwide vaccine inequality threatens to unleash the next COVID-19 variant

Oehler, Richard L.; Vega, Vivian

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2022.08.010

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Vaccine inequality is further aggravated by the delayed vaccinations in LMICs, contributing to the emergence of new variants that will continue to prolong the pandemic as they are likely to be resistant to the already developed vaccines [ 23 ]. A key question is whether vaccination distribution is still an impactful strategy as most of the continent has missed key windows of opportunity and experienced multiple variants of concern (VOC) [ 24 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccine inequity: a threat to Africa’s recovery from COVID-19

Wei,

Kamande,

Lang’at

2023

Trop Med Health

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Background Vaccine inequity is a reality facing the Sub-Saharan Africa region as vaccine nationalism from high-income countries (HICs) leads to limited access to the lifesaving vaccines needed to end the pandemic. In Africa, a significant portion of the population has yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19; however, the barriers to accessing such vaccines, including capacity challenges, still persist despite the implementation of the COVAX facility meant to support the lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to boost vaccination. Methods This study involved a systemic narrative review where literature search was conducted using the NCBI’s PMC and BMC databases based on defined keywords. Three authors were involved in the literature search and consensus was applied to settle disagreements and validate the findings. Results In this systematic narrative review, we report that vaccine nationalism remains a challenge for LMICs as HICs still hoard vaccines and even bypass COVAX to procure doses directly from the manufacturers. Factors that promote vaccine hesitancy in Africa include misinformation regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, a lack of trust in politicians and the pharmaceutical industry, and concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy. The policies implemented to enhance vaccine coverage in Africa, such as mandates, community engagement, and partnerships, all seek to promote equity of vaccination and ending Covid-19. Conclusion Covid-19 vaccine inequity persists and contributes to prolonged pandemic in LMICs. In response, African governments have taken certain measures to enhance vaccine uptake but more needs to be done to address resistance to vaccines.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccine inequity: a threat to Africa’s recovery from COVID-19

Wei,

Kamande,

Lang’at

2023

Trop Med Health

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“…19 vaccine policies implemented in Africa, with a mixed methods study among health workers in rural Uganda corroborating the ndings by reporting to feel coerced to take the Covid-19 vaccine[78]. Mandatory policies invoked fears in the health workers, making them hesitant about their trust in policymakers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 77%

“…Vaccine inequality is further aggravated by the delayed vaccinations in LMICs, contributing to the emergence of new variants that will continue to prolong the pandemic as they are likely to be resistant to the already developed vaccines [19]. A key question is whether vaccination distribution is still an impactful strategy as most of the continent has missed key windows of opportunity and experienced multiple variants of concern (VOC) [20].…”

Section: Equity Of Covid-19 Vaccinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vaccine Inequity: A Threat to Africa’s Recovery from COVID-19

Wei,

Kamande,

Lang'at

2023

Preprint

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Vaccine inequity is a reality facing the Sub-Saharan Africa region as vaccine nationalism from the high income countries (HICs) leads to limited access to the life saving vaccines needed to end the pandemic. In Africa, a significant portion of the population has yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19; however, the barrier to access such vaccines, including capacity challenges, still persist despite the implementation of the COVAX facility meant to support the LMICs to boost vaccination. In this systematic review, we report that vaccine nationalism remains a challenge for LMICs as the HICs still hoard the vaccines and even bypass COVAX to procure doses directly from the manufacturers. Factors that promote vaccine hesitancy in Africa include misinformation regarding the Covid-19 vaccine, a lack of trust in politicians and the pharmaceutical industry, and concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy. The policies implemented to enhance vaccine coverage in Africa, such as mandates, community engagement, and partnerships, all seek to promote equity of vaccination and ending Covid-19.

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“…By spring 2022, however, the milder Omicron variant was already dominant. Furthermore, industrialized countries, such as Austria, had vaccination rates that were already high by that time [ 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Areas of Concern and Support among the Austrian General Population: A Qualitative Content Analytic Mapping of the Shift between Winter 2020/21 and Spring 2022

Gächter,

Zauner,

Haider

et al. 2023

Healthcare

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This study aimed to analyze areas of concern and support of the Austrian general population two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. A representative sample (N = 1031) of the Austrian general population was surveyed online between 19 April 2022 and 26 April 2022. A qualitative study design was used to explore the factors of most considerable current concern (Question 1) and the most important sources of support (Question 2). The responses to the two open-ended questions were evaluated using a conventional content analysis, and categories were formed according to the frequency of the answers. The analysis revealed that inflation and finances (30% of participants) and the war in Ukraine (22%) were the greatest sources of concern, followed by mental health (11%), and physical health (11%). Factors such as social contacts within and outside the family were mentioned most frequently as sources of support (36% of participants), followed by recreational activities (23%) and attitudes and abilities (22%). Compared to data collected at the end of the first year of the pandemic (between 23 December 2020 and 4 January 2021), concern about one’s financial situation was now mentioned more frequently (30% vs. 8,5%). On the other hand, different types of pandemic-related concerns were mentioned less often. Social contacts and recreation were mentioned as the most important sources of support at both time points (46% and 36% of the participants). The results suggest that the economic concerns are lagging behind the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. In addition, the impending war in Ukraine seems to have a relevant impact on mental health in Austria. Further nuanced qualitative research, particularly involving vulnerable groups such as low-income individuals and the unemployed, is crucial.

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Worldwide vaccine inequality threatens to unleash the next COVID-19 variant

Cited by 8 publications

References 3 publications

Vaccine inequity: a threat to Africa’s recovery from COVID-19

Vaccine inequity: a threat to Africa’s recovery from COVID-19

Vaccine Inequity: A Threat to Africa’s Recovery from COVID-19

Areas of Concern and Support among the Austrian General Population: A Qualitative Content Analytic Mapping of the Shift between Winter 2020/21 and Spring 2022

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