7.7
PREPARING FOR A SAFER WORLD TOGETHER
A 100-day mission
A transformation response to future pandemics envisions developing new vaccines against almost any conceivable viral threat within as little as three months from threat recognition – ensuring equitable vaccine access and a world prepared for almost any viral outbreak T he Covid-19 pandemic has reshaped our world in unimaginable ways, emphasising the critical importance of global collaboration and equitable vaccine access. The goals of initiatives such as COVAX were commendable, and the result was, in fact, historic, even in the face of considerable obstacles. It is now a moment to reflect on the issues relating to research and development in vaccines against emerging infectious diseases and access to those vaccines, to discuss the role of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and to highlight the urgency of adapting our strategies to combat evolving pandemic threats. Ultimately, the 100 Days Mission is vital for the world to be able to address two critical needs: speed and access. The accelerated development of Covid-19 vaccines stands as a remarkable scientific achievement. However, their deployment lays bare the stark disparities in vaccine access across the globe. To this day, low- and middle-income countries face significantly lower vaccination rates than high-income countries, due to a host of challenges. As of October 2022, vaccination coverage in low-income countries stood at just 25%; only a quarter of the
population had received at least one vaccine dose. In stark contrast, in high-income countries that rate stood at 72%. ADDRESSING INEQUITY Addressing vaccine access inequity requires a deep understanding of its root causes. Manufacturing inequity was an initial stumbling block. Although COVAX reduced the gap of first access between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries to a historic 66 days, the concentration of vaccine production in India and a few high-income countries, combined with vaccine nationalism, led to supply shortages, and delayed access for low- and middle-income countries at the expense of global health security. Competition for vaccine supplies, as well as competition between countries and initiatives such as COVAX, clearly hindered equitable distribution and exacerbated disparities. Distribution and absorption
capacity challenges compounded these problems, with logistical hurdles such as cold chain requirements and remote transportation impeding timely vaccine delivery. The absence of a pre-existing and well-established global collaborative mechanism for equitable vaccine manufacturing and access meant that initiatives
By Oyeronke Oyebanji, chief of staff for policy and partnerships, and Frederik Kristensen, deputy CEO, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
like COVAX had to be constructed hastily during the pandemic’s most acute phase. This fragmented approach clearly exposed the need for a more cohesive, proactive and coordinated strategy for pandemic preparedness. Throughout the pandemic, CEPI was pivotal in advancing accelerated vaccine R&D and equitable access. CEPI’s funding and facilitation of Covid-19 vaccine development expedited the creation of multiple vaccine candidates. CEPI remains committed to investing in broadly acting vaccines
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Health: A Political Choice – From Fragmentation to Integration
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