The COVID-19 Vaccination and Vaccine Inequity Worldwide: An Empirical Study Based on Global Data

Abstract

Vaccination is critical for controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the progress of COVID-19 vaccination varies from different countries, and global vaccine inequity has been a worldwide public health issue. This study collected data from the Our World in Data COVID-19 vaccination data set between 13 December 2020 and 1 January 2022. The measurement reflecting the pandemic situation included New cases, New deaths, Hospital patients, ICU patients, and the Reproduction rate. Indicators for measuring the vaccination coverage included Total vaccinations per hundred and People vaccinated per hundred. The Human Development Index (HDI) measured the country’s development level. Findings indicated that countries with higher HDI have more adequate vaccine resources, and global vaccine inequity exists. The study also found that vaccination significantly mitigates the pandemic, and reaching 70% immunization coverage can further control the epidemic. In addition, the emergence of Omicron variants makes the COVID-19 epidemic situation even worse, suggesting the importance and necessity of addressing vaccine inequity. The globe will face a greater challenge in controlling the pandemic if lower-vaccinated countries do not increase their vaccination coverage. Addressing the issue of vaccine inequity needs the cooperation of HIC, LMIC, public health departments, and vaccine producers. Moreover, the media has to contribute to effective public health communication by raising public perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination, and vaccine inequity.

Inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Peru: An ecological study

“…We found that COVID-19 vaccination coverage increased as the HDI increased, suggesting the presence of inequalities in access to vaccines, despite being administered free of charge. Even though this correlation may be affected by the effect of multiple confounders that have not been considered, several studies have described the presence of inequalities in vaccination [ [6] , [7] , [8] ], thus, in-depth analysis of this topic is urgently needed in Peru.…”

Assessing the relationship between operationally defined zero-dose communities and access to selected primary healthcare services for children and pregnant women in emergency settings

“…In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, much focus has been placed on access to vaccines, specifically for this virus, highlighting global inequities in access to healthcare and vaccination [ 1 ]. This problem unfortunately is not novel, having persisted since 1974 and extends beyond COVID-19 vaccines to even the most basic of childhood vaccination services [ 1 ].…”

“…In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, much focus has been placed on access to vaccines, specifically for this virus, highlighting global inequities in access to healthcare and vaccination [ 1 ]. This problem unfortunately is not novel, having persisted since 1974 and extends beyond COVID-19 vaccines to even the most basic of childhood vaccination services [ 1 ]. Communities where children do not receive the suite of basic vaccinations are known as zero-dose communities and are often operationally defined as locations where children have not received the first dose of a Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis vaccine (DTP1), according to GAVI [ 2 ].…”

COVID 19 - Algunas lecciones y muchas más por aprender

“…La vacunación es fundamental para controlar la pandemia de la COVID-19, no obstante, su progreso varía según los países, y la inequidad mundial en materia de vacunas ha sido un problema de salud pública mundial. De acuerdo con el índice de desarrollo humano como indicador se identificó que los países de Suramérica tuvieron un moderado nivel de vacunación, además del bajo acceso a vacunación en países de África 12 . Por esta razón, es necesario seguir promoviendo el acceso equitativo al tratamiento, evitando que la disparidad social impacte negativamente en el pronóstico de los pacientes, en búsqueda de mantener el adecuado estado de salud de la población en general, incluidos los pacientes con enfermedades reumatológicas.…”