How can approaches to COVID-19 vaccination change the world?
THE FUTURIAN #2
There has been a large variety of responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Surprisingly, developed countries with “superior” healthcare systems have floundered the most, while countries like Vietnam and Taiwan have remained open for most of the duration of the pandemic. However, due to the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic virus, it is increasingly obvious that we can only return to a COVID-free world through vaccination. Many developed economies are showing glimpses of a normal, fully vaccinated economy. For example, in the United States, home to one of the worst COVID-19 responses, businesses are reopening and sports arenas are packed with spectators.
Vaccine distribution follows the lines of global inequality. A country like Canada has procured 400 million doses for a population of nearly 38 million. Meanwhile, even a single vaccine shot remains an unachievable dream for the citizens of most of the developing world. Some of these countries are only stepping into the worst phase of the COVID-19 pandemic virus. For example, India suffered from one of the worst spikes in COVID-19 case rates in early-mid May, with daily new cases of 400,000 and daily death rates surpassing 4,000; these numbers may also be underreported.
