Topic : Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
6. What do you understand by Vaccine Nationalism? Is it against the fundamental principles of vaccine development and global public health? Discuss the challenges and concerns associated with it. (250 words)
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The United States has now twice indicated that it would like to secure priority access to doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Other countries, including India and Russia, have taken similar stances. This prioritization of domestic markets has become known as vaccine nationalism.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in detail the concept of Vaccine Nationalism and debate on how it is against the fundamental principles of vaccine development and global public health.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Vaccine nationalism occurs when a country manages to secure doses of vaccine for its own citizens or residents before they are made available in other countries. This is done through pre-purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer.
Body:
Discuss the experiences of past when vaccine nationalism was practiced by nations. Then move onto explain how ‘vaccine nationalism’ could block vulnerable populations’ access to COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine nationalism is not new. During the early stages of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, some of the wealthiest countries entered into pre-purchase agreements with several pharmaceutical companies working on H1N1 vaccines. Explain the concerns and challenges associated with it.
Conclusion:
Conclude that more needs to be done. International institutions — including the WHO — should coordinate negotiations ahead of the next pandemic to produce a framework for equitable access to vaccines during public health crises. Equity entails both, affordability of vaccines and access opportunities for populations across the world, irrespective of geography and geopolitics.
