Among the many lessons learned during this pandemic, COVID-19 has emphasized the need for health equity. Already, we are seeing a disproportionately low distribution of lifesaving resources to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

To improve equity and accessibility, we have identified three main areas to scale our COVID-19 response: vaccine access and introduction; access to oxygen, medical solutions, and diagnostics; and epidemic response that maintains progress on primary health care and essential services.

Here are the lessons that we have learned, and how we can continue to make progress against the pandemic:

Many LMICs continue to be last in line for vaccine doses. As of April 2021, high-income countries had purchased more than half of the COVID-19 vaccine supply, whereas low-income countries had purchased around 9 percent of available doses. Reversing this trend is vital.

“COVID-19 showcases the critical importance of resilient immunization systems that can protect communities in a crisis and sustain coverage when the crisis is over,” says Dr. Vu Minh Huong, regional technical advisor at PATH Vietnam. “We won’t be able to end the pandemic or control the virus’ spread without more vaccines that people can access over the long term, no matter their income level.”

Working locally in Thailand, Vietnam, and Brazil, PATH has helped develop and test a new, low-cost vaccine—called NDV HXP-S—that can be produced more rapidly in existing flu vaccine manufacturing facilities in low-income countries. If proven safe and effective, it could make pandemic protection a reality for people and communities unable to access current COVID-19 vaccines. Thanks to a novel molecular design, NDV-HXP-S can be manufactured sustainably and transported using standard refrigeration. In many ways, this new vaccine could help pave the way toward global vaccine equity.

PATH supported the development of the vaccine technology; just as important, we connected, facilitated, and advised, providing critical linkages between technologies and partners in the quest to fill the unmet needs of market-driven vaccine development. Partnerships have always been a core aspect of PATH’s work and the global efforts around COVID-19 vaccine development have illustrated the innovation that can be achieved through cross-sector collaboration.

Read the full article about equitable response to COVID-19 by Adrianne Stowe at avpn.