What Is The Best Way Distribute COVID Vaccines?
As the pandemic is soaring, there is a serious vaccine shortage in developing countries while there is excess in developed countries. Some say that relying on current vaccine donations is a satisfying solution, but establishing international agreements that involve the governments’ acknowledgement to evenly distribute COVID vaccines worldwide is a better solution to this issue. If such agreement is made, we would be able to protect more people from COVID and help them recover from the impact COIVD had on their lives.
To be clear, the aforementioned international agreement solely applies to vaccinations. This resolution excludes any policy including universal social distancing legislation or immunization requirements. It focuses on delivering vaccinations proportionally to the people and easing cross-border transit. Ideally, everyone will be able to acquire immunizations under this arrangement.
Currently, most nations with extra vaccine opt to sell it for a higher price in order to profit and offset their COVID-related economic losses. As a result, people in low-income nations would either not be able to buy the immunizations or would be unable to afford the high cost. These individuals are more susceptible to the virus, making them more likely to become infected and get acute COVID. Even if these individuals survive, they are more likely to experience long-term COVID symptoms as well as the financial burden of hospitalization.
In order to resolve this issue, high income and upper-middle income countries that have already resolved their national crisis began to send aid to other countries in need. For example, China and the U.S is already donating or selling billions of COVID vaccines to various Asian, European, and African countries. A total of 115 nations throughout the globe have received vaccines straight from China. With 39 nations getting vaccines from China, the Asia Pacific area has received the greatest number of Chinese vaccines. Similarly, the U.S. have already donated at least 1.1 billion COVID vaccines, with a top recipient Pakistan, which received 42.6 million vaccines.
As a result, the overall vaccination rate is rising steadily. The vaccination rate in Pakistan rises from 0.4% to 36.6% in the past 6 months. This strategy has proven to be effective so far, so we need to take this to the next level by including the countries that have not yet received enough vaccination. (?)
Some may claim that COVID is no longer a serious and dangerous disease, hence such effort to “take it to the next level” is unnecessary. In addition, the worldwide vaccine deficit is no longer a concern as more of the production technique gets perfected. Therefore, it’s only a matter of time until these additional vaccines are distributed to African countries. As a result, this agreements may have faded away and become obsolete. Then it would be a complete waste to time and effort.
It is true that many countries have already made through the most difficult time, and the Omicron variant is not as deadly as the other variants. However, the vaccination rate in many African countries is still significantly low and they need an affordable vaccine as soon as possible. Now in the U.S. we might not fell threatened by omicron because most of the individuals around us are not only fully vaccinated but also have taken booster shot. However, for the common people who are expose to COVID without these protections, there is still a chance that they will be very ill. We should not wait until the resources flows into the places in need but speed up the process and prevent further damage. We will be able to prevent them from getting COVID or lighten their symptoms. Each person we can save through this is extremely meaningful. By reducing the population that gets sick, we are also reducing the possibility of developing a new variant and preserve the validity of current vaccines. Scientist would not have to invent a new vaccine in respond to the variants. In the end, we will reduce the cost to vaccinate everyone and minimize the impact COVID could have in the future.
This will result in a safer environment for international trade and traveling. When COVID is under control, international trade and traveling will flourish again, providing potential occupations and economic benefits to this area. These may compensate the loss in the economic crisis when business was shut down. People who lose their job or were in debt could pursue new opportunities. The economic data in 2020 and 2021 reveals that countries which have contained the pandemic sooner experiences less economic damage. One explicit example in 2020 would be China: It is the only country that has positive economic growth rate. (Add more Data?) Therefore, distributing vaccines will bring a more stable economy and people will be able to feed their
In conclusion, globally agreements on the distribution of vaccines are necessary because it provides a faster and cheaper access to safe vaccines. This prevents the spread of the virus, preserves the validity of current vaccine, and provide room for economic activities worldwide. This global approach is beneficial to the wellbeing of all the citizens on this planet.
