Three Pillars of Vaccine Equity: Triaging the Global Vaccination Challenge
By Katie Gallogly-Swan and Rachel Thrasher
Severe vaccine inequality continues to undermine efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic, but a focus only on distribution eludes a deeper problem: the world is simply not making enough vaccines.
A new policy brief from the Boston University Global Development Policy Center argues meeting the global vaccination challenge will require attention to three pillars of vaccine equity, all of which must be advanced simultaneously:
- A TRIPS Waiver at the World Trade Organization to cut through the intellectual property (IP) rights that deter new production
- Technology transfer from vaccine originators to regionally distributed manufacturing hubs
- Robust financing measures to upgrade production facilities and improve vaccine distribution worldwide
The authors stress that any of these initiatives alone will not be sufficient to meet the needs of the moment. Only a comprehensive approach that advances on all three fronts will transform the outlook for vaccine equity and build resilience and collaboration.
Read the Policy BriefShare the Summary Slide Deck: