Recently, it has been discovered that two coronavirus vaccines are capable of producing an immune response. The first trial on more than a thousand adults in Britain revealed that the vaccine induced strong antibodies. A separate trial conducted on about 500 people in China suggested similar results. While the experiment seems a major development in fighting the pandemic, the accessibility of the vaccines will pose as a huge challenge.
Third World countries lack the capabilities, both research- and resource-wise, to produce a vaccine independently. The medically advanced countries that discovered the vaccines after extensive medical research would give preference to their people and would export it to the other countries only after their local requirements are fulfilled. Countries with strong diplomatic ties will have an edge in receiving the exported vaccines. Here, Pakistan may fall short since it has not developed proper strategic relationships with world powers during the last few years. In the case where a vaccine is finally sourced by Pakistan, it will only reach the privileged while the economically deprived would not be able to afford them.
If the charge of distributing the vaccine is given to the public departments, the vaccine would not reach the masses due to corruption and incompetence. Private hospitals would charge a hefty amount on vaccination and the poor would ultimately suffer. It is ultimately better that we protect ourselves through self-precautionary measures and social distancing.
Nayab Iqbal
Karachi
