Addressing Disparities in Access to Vaccines in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Vaccination constitutes an essential element of primary health care and an unquestionable human right. However, access to vaccines remained a major challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The latest COVID-19 pandemic's global impact on communities revealed the access gap between countries and demonstrated the urgent need to address inequity in access to vaccination worldwide. This chapter discusses the importance of equitable access to vaccination worldwide with focus on the situation in LMICs through different examples and in different settings. The chapter also provides examples of international, regional, and local efforts to reduce the access gap between countries alongside with lessons learnt from the last COVID-19 pandemic experience. The overall objective is to probe on, promote and ensure equitable access and therefore better health, economic and social outcomes for LMICs communities together with better preparedness for future pandemics.