by Figueroa JP, Hotez PJ, Batista C, Ben Amor Y, Ergonul O, Gilbert S, Gursel M, Hassanain M, Kang G, Kaslow DC, Kim JH, Lall B, Larson H, Naniche D, Sheahan T, Shoham S, Wilder-Smith A, Sow SO, Strub-Wourgaft N, Yadav P, Bottazzi ME. PLOS Medicine 2021;18(9): e1003772. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003772
Summary: By June 2021, only 0.9% of those living in low-income countries had received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine compared with 43% of the population living in high-income countries. This has occurred despite the explicit ethical principles affirming equity of access to COVID-19 vaccines articulated in the WHO SAGE values framework. The authors list key priorities and initiatives for achieving global equity for COVID-19 vaccines, including immediate distribution of unallocated or reserve doses of vaccines and donations through the COVAX Facility and a fully funded, internationally coordinated initiative that facilitates technology transfer, building of vaccine manufacturing, and scientific and regulatory capacity in different regions.
