COVID-19 Vaccine Diplomacy and Equitable Access to Vaccines Amid Ongoing Pandemic

The wealthy countries have already secured 60% of the total coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine supplies for their citizens. Some of these countries have preordered vaccine doses sufficient enough to vaccinate their population multiple times. India has recently initiated a diplomatic mission named Vaccine Maitri to provide COVID-19 vaccine doses to needy low-income countries. The ability of the country to manufacture cost-effective vaccines along with the ability to export large vaccine consignments worldwide will help to meet the global COVID-19 vaccine requirements. Furthermore, global vaccination coverage can only be achieved by ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. (C) 2021 Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Wealthy countries have secured 60% of COVID-19 vaccine supplies, with some preordering enough doses to vaccinate their populations multiple times. India's Vaccine Maitri initiative aims to provide doses to low-income countries, emphasizing equitable access to vaccines is crucial for global vaccination coverage. Manufacturing affordable vaccines and exporting large consignments worldwide will help meet global vaccine needs.