It is a pleasure to be part of this insightful discussion, which brings together some of the world’s most important scientific institutions and several eminent experts.
I want to highlight three take-away messages that featured in your discussions on the deployment of a COVID-19 vaccine.
First, we appreciate the emphasis on both speed and safety.
Dr Anthony Fauci said – we should do what we can to accelerate it – but no short cuts. Professor Peter Piot emphasized efficacy and safety. Professor Otterson highlighted the balance between speed & urgency and safety & quality.
The early development of a safe and effective vaccine is highly desirable. However, vaccine development efforts not causing undue risk either to trial participants during the studies or after was also highlighted.
The roll-out of a vaccine requires community acceptance.
Given the urgency, the risk and uncertainty around developing a COVID-19 vaccine, the selection of sites and participants for studies requires careful handling.
My second message is on the need for equity, which several speakers stressed.
Once developed, a COVID-19 vaccine must be considered a global public good – a good that can be accessed by all – this is what Dr Vinod Paul emphasized.
To facilitate this, WHO co-launched the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and is supporting the COVAX Facility.
Both mechanisms are expected to help low- and middle-income countries gain rapid and equitable access to safe and effective vaccines.
The issue of allocation was raised by several speakers. Dr Rajesh Bhushan mentioned the issue of prioritization. It is anticipated that the initial tranche of doses will be made available to all countries to ensure health workers can be immunized, followed by high-risk adults – as
Professor Walter Orenstein highlighted.
The allocation framework for COVID-19 vaccines, which WHO is developing, aims to distribute vaccines equitably across all countries. It will also help countries prioritize at-risk populations as they develop in-country vaccination strategies. Subsequent allocations are proposed to be made based on country and population vulnerability.
My third message is on the need for innovation.
The delivery of a vaccine on the scale required will not be easy.
The platforms through which a COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered will be different from regular EPI platforms.
Innovative thinking will be needed to effectively store and transport the vaccine, and to deliver it to target populations.
The lessons learned from the deployment of influenza and Ebola vaccines among others must be harnessed and applied.
Importantly, planning should begin very soon, if not now, so that not a second is lost in protecting target populations once a vaccine becomes available.
Surveillance for adverse events and other infrastructure must be mobilized or re-activated. All systems should be fit for purpose.
I thank you for your engagement and insights and before passing the floor to Prof. Bhargava, I once again thank him and Prof. K Vijay Raghavan for organizing this very useful and informative discussion.