The virus that hit us all hard in December of 2019 is still with us, and there is nothing much that we can do about it. Countries all over the world have gone into lockdown to confine further spreading of coronavirus. Some countries have opened up after going into lockdown and were hit by the second wave of coronavirus, and this forced them to go into lockdown again.
Since the Coronavirus pandemic scientists all over the world were working so hard to discover a vaccine against the novel Coronavirus and on the bright side, we got a significant success and some countries are in the last phase of COVID vaccine trials.
But is this an end to all of our problems?
No!
The development of vaccines is one thing and getting access to it is another.
Why?
Because of vaccine nationalism.
WHAT IS VACCINE NATIONALISM
When you are in dire need of something, and you are wealthy enough to spend any amount of money, you will use all your resources to get that thing.
Same is the case with COVID vaccine. Countries all over the world want to get the vaccine, and the wealthy countries are trying to secure a large amount of vaccine by striking pre-purchase deals with the pharma companies before they are made available to other countries.
ARE THERE SOME COUNTRIES WHO HAVE ALREADY SECURED THE DEAL?
Yes, indeed there are, as per the reports some countries have already entered into pre-purchase agreements with COVID 19 manufacturers. These countries are
- Britain
- France
- Germany
- US
- UK
Talking about the doses pre-booked by the US, you will be shocked to know the data. The country has booked more than 800 million doses for them, which accounts for more than two doses for every citizen in the country. The US has entered into an agreement with six different companies, and the total cost of the vaccines is US$ 10 Billion.
The UK has booked more than 340 million doses which is more than five doses for each of its citizen.
HAS INDIA PRE-BOOKED ANY VACCINES?
India has not entered any agreement of pre-booking any vaccine, but Indian companies have obtained licenses from different developers to manufacture their vaccine.
Indian companies have made an agreement with at least four developers.
Some Indian companies are also developing vaccines.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF PRE BOOKING VACCINES?
Well, the countries who have the resources and can pre-book the vaccines have huge benefits.
But what about the countries who do not have the resources and bargaining power? They will not get access to the vaccines.
And if the countries with a large number of cases do not get access to vaccines, then the disease will continue to disrupt the global supply chains and economies around the world will get disrupted.
IS THERE ANY SOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS?
The WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO) is trying to pre-book vaccines from several developers so that the needy have access to the vaccines.
