There are uncertainties around what constitutes healthy food and appropriate policy interventions. But a growing body of evidence and analysis points towards actions that may save lives – and at the very least improve the well-being of billions.
As the world continues to face the public health, social, and economic unraveling due to the COVID-19 crisis, it should be clear that, to overcome the pandemic, a large share of the world needs to be immune to the virus.
While mounting evidence suggests COVID-19 vaccines do reduce transmission, the global vaccination effort is highly inequitable. While many in the developing world wait for their first dose of vaccine, many wealthier countries are now discussing booster programs for their people.
As of the beginning of June 2021, only about 11% of the world’s population, or around 852 million people, have received at least one dose of one of the COVID-19 vaccines.
These numbers illustrate the need for a “new commitment for vaccine equity”. Equally important is to ensure that the focus on vaccines is accompanied by a well-designed, funded, and implemented vaccination effort.
As past vaccination efforts have shown, governments need to strengthen some key core activity areas to help translate the promise of vaccines into active immunization. These activities range from planning and management, supply and distribution of vaccines, program delivery, surveillance, to supporting systems and infrastructure, in accordance with the country-specific context and epidemic status.
Effective monitoring of vaccine coverage, effectiveness, and safety is a vital tool to ensure comprehensive and effective vaccination as we join hands in working Against Corona.
