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Global COVID vaccine roll-out will face many hurdles

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Significance

Initial data are expected to become available before the end of the year, and subject to evidence of safety and efficacy, to be submitted for approval and fast-tracked so that a vaccine is released within the first quarter of 2021. However, there are challenges to distribution worldwide. Diplomacy and logistics will eventually decide whether a vaccine serves the global population or not.

Impacts

  • Bilateral agreements between rich countries and vaccine manufacturers will result in unequal access to vaccines overall.
  • Efforts to uphold scientific rigour will be important to maintain faith in science and the pharmaceutical sector.
  • Vaccine scepticism and choice may affect uptake and coverage in some developed countries.
  • Immunisation schedules for other infections may be disrupted to channel resources into distributing COVID-19 vaccines worldwide.
  • Public health agencies may need restructuring and greater involvement from experts to rebuild trust in their decision-making powers.

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