COVID-19 vaccine challenges: What have we learned so far and what remains to be done?. Issue 5 (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Forman, Rebecca; Shah, Soleil; Jeurissen, Patrick; Jit, Mark; Mossialos, Elias
• Is Part Of: Health policy. Volume 125:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 553
• Page End: 567
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Medical education -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Delivery of Health Care -- Periodicals; Education, Medical -- Periodicals; Health Education -- Periodicals; Health Planning -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Enseignement médical -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Medical education; Medical policy; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2021.03.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8510

Abstract

Highlights: Significant global interest exists around generation of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines. Addressing eleven challenges (among many others) could greatly benefit COVID-19 vaccine policies. These challenges fall under three dimensions – vaccine development, dissemination, and deployment. Decision-makers can anticipate and recognize these challenges, and strategize solutions at scale. Effective vaccines can add to our existing arsenal of weapons against COVID-19. Abstracts: Developing and distributing a safe and effective SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine has garnered immense global interest. Less than a year after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, several vaccine candidates had received emergency use authorization across a range of countries. Despite this scientific breakthrough, the journey from vaccine discovery to global herd immunity against COVID-19 continues to present significant policy challenges that require a collaborative, global response. We offer a framework for understanding remaining and new policy challenges for successful global vaccine campaigns against COVID-19 as well as potential solutions to address them. Decision-makers must be aware of these challenges and strategize solutions that can be implemented at scale. These include challenges around maintaining R&D incentives, running clinical trials, authorizations, post-market surveillance, manufacturing and supply, global dissemination, allocation, uptake, and clinical system adaption. Alongside these challenges, financial and ethical concerns must also be addressed.