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'No one is safe until everyone is safe': Vaccine nationalism threatens global coronavirus effort
USA Today
ELIZABETH WEISE | USA TODAY | 24 minutes ago
A deadly virus causes a global pandemic. A wealthy country signs a $125 million contract for vaccine with a manufacturer in a small nation. But when the vaccine becomes available, the small nation’s government balks, demanding enough for its entire population first before any can be exported.
That's what happened in 2009, when Australia demanded biotech manufacturer CSL fulfill domestic needs for H1N1 vaccine before any could be sent to the United States.
And it’s exactly the scenario public health experts fear as the world enters into a scientifically turbo-charged but chaotic race to create and then produce coronavirus vaccines. Rather than widespread collaboration, coordination and sharing, “me first” vaccine nationalism pits nation against nation to get and keep enough doses for their citizens.
Countries are focusing on their own vaccine development programs rather than collaborating to pool resources. Agreements are scarce to share vaccines when they’re available so front line health workers and those in COVID-19 hots spots internationally can have first access.
Further, as what happened in Australia shows, no matter what contracts may be in place, the country where a vaccine is manufactured could slap export restrictions on it to ensure its own population gets first dibs.
That's what happened in 2009, when Australia demanded biotech manufacturer CSL fulfill domestic needs for H1N1 vaccine before any could be sent to the United States.
And it’s exactly the scenario public health experts fear as the world enters into a scientifically turbo-charged but chaotic race to create and then produce coronavirus vaccines. Rather than widespread collaboration, coordination and sharing, “me first” vaccine nationalism pits nation against nation to get and keep enough doses for their citizens.
Countries are focusing on their own vaccine development programs rather than collaborating to pool resources. Agreements are scarce to share vaccines when they’re available so front line health workers and those in COVID-19 hots spots internationally can have first access.
Further, as what happened in Australia shows, no matter what contracts may be in place, the country where a vaccine is manufactured could slap export restrictions on it to ensure its own population gets first dibs.
Read more: https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/5384850002
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