Introduction

The present paper examines the concept of equitable access to vaccines in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic with the critical examination of approaches to international collaboration as suggested by Eccleston-Turner and Upton (2020). The COVAX initiative that aims at facilitating the development of vaccines and ensuring their equitable distribution among countries will be critically evaluated from the perspective of their economic and institutional sustainability. The role of capitalism in affecting the risks of epidemics and pandemics as well as determining the general structure of international response in this sphere will be analysed in a complex manner (Adams, 2020). The close attention will also be paid to redefining the role and key functions performed by international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (Eccleston-Turne & Burci, 2021). The historical cases of epidemics as well as successful and unsuccessful policy responses may be helpful for adjusting the current international strategies in the most appropriate and strategically correct manner. The review of the literature confirms the challenges of international collaboration as outlined by Eccleston-Turner and Upton (2020), although the exclusive focus on the COVAX initiative appears to be unsupported. The broader perspective with the consideration of capitalism influences and the international environment may allow developing more realistic and better-integrated equity promotion measures at all levels.

Equitable Access to Vaccines

Equitable access to vaccines is generally recognised as being one of the main determinants of the maximum utilisation of available socioeconomic and healthcare resources at the international level. Eccleston-Turner and Upton (2020) express their concerns in relation to equitable access to such vaccines in developing countries. The prevalence of vaccine nationalism, when national governments typically prioritise the health needs of their populations as compared with those of foreign countries, may likely to increase such gaps even further. The COVAX initiative declares the governments’ and international organisations’ devotion to providing equitable access to all people globally regardless of their country of origin, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and other characteristics. The existing infrastructure problems also constitute serious issues for all parties involved, leading to the higher concentration of health risks in developing countries (Eccleston-Turner & Upton 2020). According to Baker (2017), the goal of ensuring the adequate access to medicine for all people constitutes the major priority at the international level at the moment due to the growing contradictions between the formal declarations and actual policies implemented by various governments. Forman (2020) specifies the changing understanding of the right to health during the pandemic due to the fact that the access to vaccines and quality healthcare constitute the main determinants of people’s health standards in the long term.

The evaluation of temporary restrictions and other measures taken by governments and international organisations should be performed from the perspective of their ability to maximise the equitable access to vaccines, thus, protecting people right to health under the current conditions (Forman & Kohler, 2020). International health regulations may be helpful for establishing the general framework of optimal responses and justified measures to be taken, minimising the risks of significant deviations in both developed and developing countries (Habibi et al., 2020). The stable system of governance free of external influences is crucial for reaching the significant long-term improvements. Due to the high inequality in the socioeconomic development and resource availability in various countries, most developing countries need additional support, and precise international instruments beyond solidarity should be developed in this context (Johnson, 2020). The application of proportional sanctions to those international agents that deviate from their obligations may be justified. Yamin (1999) stresses the need to better articulate the right to health in international law, ensuring the adequate foundation for promoting more responsible healthcare practices globally. Overall, the critical account on the COVAX initiative and dominance of national interests in many countries as suggested by Eccleston-Turner and Upton (2020) is supported by the available academic literature.