Global Disparity In Access To Essential Vaccines In Demand By Rich Nations: WHO

WHO said that limited vaccine supply and unequal distribution drive global disparities.

The WHO has published the Global Vaccine Market Report 2022, showing inequitable distribution is not unique to COVID-19 vaccines with poorer countries consistently struggling to access other vaccines that are in demand by wealthier countries.

In a statement, the WHO said that limited vaccine supply and unequal distribution drive global disparities. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine against cervical cancer has only been introduced in 41 per cent of low-income countries, even though they represent much of the disease burden, compared to 83 per cent of high-income countries.

Affordability is also an obstacle to vaccine access. While prices tend to be tiered by income, price disparities see middle-income countries paying as much - or even more - than wealthier ones for several vaccine products.

"The right to health includes the right to vaccines," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "And yet this new report shows that free-market dynamics are depriving some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people of that right. WHO is calling for much-needed changes to the global vaccine market to save lives, prevent disease and prepare for future crises."