Poverty hampers the nations to get vaccines on time
There are many hues and cries about the slogan that 2021 will be the year of vaccines for COVID-19. It is already written on the wall who will get the vaccines first. Clinical trials are going on for more than 20 companies. As per the reports the richest countries have booked more than half of the doses from the world’s reputed companies to vaccinate their population multiple times. They have started vaccinations in their countries, but it is still a distant dream for poor countries. The report further says that poor nations may be able to vaccinate at most 20 percent of their populations in 2021.
Wait and follow SOPS policy for poor
It means low-income countries can wait for a more extended period and it might take several years to vaccinate their population. Many countries including Pakistan have ordered vaccines from AstraZeneca-Oxford and Sinopharm-China companies. Vaccination will start after some time and currently, the only option for us is to wait and follow SOPs.
Poor people in the queue and waiting for foreign donations
There are many challenges involved in the acquisition of vaccines for low-income countries.
First, huge financial resources are required for vaccine acquisition. The cost of the quality vaccine will determine the percentage of the population to be vaccinated to obtain herd immunity. Economic conditions in the lower-income countries are going from bad to worst which were further exacerbated by the lockdowns and suspension of business activities. History is replete with examples of appeals for foreign donations when poor countries face disasters.
Logistics issues are the main hurdles to getting vaccines
Secondly, logistical challenges would be another hurdle to administering vaccines in far-flung areas. Even rich countries are upgrading their existing supply chain for COVID-19 vaccination. The negative cold chain would be a big hurdle to maintaining the efficacy of vaccines as Pfizer claims that its vaccine needs storage at minus 60 or 70 degrees Celsius. It is a tremendous logistical issue not only in the U.S. but outside the Western world. Experts claim that maintaining its supply chain for the COVID-19 vaccine would put 20% more pressure on the existing cold chain in developed countries.
The high waste rate of vaccines increases their cost
Thirdly, wastage of vaccines is another challenge as COVID-19 vaccines require transporting and storing at chilled temperatures. If vaccine vials that may not be constantly chilled would be spoiled outside a refrigerator. In case of any neglect, vaccines might even expire before medical professionals have a chance to administer them. So far, anecdotal evidence points to isolated incidents with relatively low volumes of vaccine waste. However, the French Directorate General of Health has stated that it is operating with a cautious estimate of a 30% wastage rate on COVID-19 vaccines distributed in the country.
Vaccine efficacy is another challenge
Fourthly, vaccine efficacy would be another factor as companies claim different efficacy percentages i.e., Pfizer Inc PFE.N and BioNTech SE BNTX.O vaccine is 90% effective at preventing COVID-19. The others have low efficacy ratios. Cost and efficacy are directly proportional. The demands are high for vaccines having high efficacy ratios. Again, those who hold the purse will hold the vaccines.
Capacity building of health care providers is another issue
Fifthly, capacity building of health care providers and tracking of patients’ records including a database, vaccination logbooks, and cards for follow-ups for the administration of first and second doses of vaccines are the additional challenges to be sorted out during mass vaccination.
Not a known threshold for herd immunity
Sixthly, how many people need to be vaccinated to achieve a herd immunity ratio? Even if the vaccine is procured and available in health facilities, for achieving herd immunity a threshold of 85% of the population, as determined by the scientists, will stop transmission of the virus. Pakistan’s population is 220 million and 85% means 187 million population needed vaccine coverage to get herd immunity.
Countering rumors is another way to achieve the desired ratio of vaccination
Seventhly, countering rumors and misinformation are additional challenges to be carefully handled before rolling out of vaccines. Acceptancy problems always happen with every vaccine. There is a strong possibility of refusal as vaccines are to be administered to human beings and they have the choice to refuse. There are still some conspiracy theories being circulated through social media about COVID-19 vaccines that have spanned the globe such as the coronavirus pandemic is a cover for a plan to implant trackable microchips and that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is behind it. Two, this is not a pandemic, but it is solely made up for earning money through vaccines. Third, the administration of the vaccine, will alter DNA, and so on.
The queue is only for the poor
There is no denying the fact that the rich and privileged can skip the line for Covid-19 vaccines. Experts warned that there is an already existing market for unregulated drugs. There will be a black market and anything that’s seen as lifesaving, life-preserving, and that’s in short supply creates black markets. Besides, there is a strong possibility of counterfeit vaccines getting sold on the black market.
COVID-19 vaccination will further widen the gap between the haves and have nots
COVID-19 vaccination will determine the future politics and relationships among the nations. The rich countries might create a kind of security bubble to exclude the poor.
They will impose tougher travel restrictions against the poor countries that cannot manage vaccines. Delays in providing vaccines to poor nations will push them towards alienation and frustration. It will further widen the gulf between the haves and have-nots.
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