Fairer vaccine sharing could save millions in future pandemics
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Researchers modelling a global influenza pandemic found that distributing vaccines based on population need, rather than a country’s wealth, could save 2.7 million more lives during a future outbreak.
The NUS-Lancet Commission on Pandemic Preparedness conducted the research, which also showed that accelerating vaccine development could reduce deaths from an estimated 58.5 million to 23.9 million. However, this equitable distribution would lead to increased deaths in high-income countries, rising from approximately 2.4 million to 3.9 million.
The commission’s research, gathered from communities in 20 countries including Indonesia, Ethiopia, and the UK, revealed that social and economic factors significantly impact disease exposure and access to care. They found that conditions like homelessness, displacement, and language barriers often prevent people from protecting themselves during outbreaks, a factor often overlooked in standard pandemic planning. Dr.
Githinji Gitahi of Amref Health Africa noted that many African countries were last in line to receive Covid-19 vaccines, and stressed the importance of national pandemic plans reflecting local realities. The commission recommends that governments include communities in pandemic planning and ensure accountability for reaching the most vulnerable populations, hoping to influence discussions at an upcoming United Nations high-level meeting on pandemic preparedness.
