EU Reflections on Vaccine Inequity during Covid-19: Learning from the lack of vaccine equity during the global Covid-19 response

The Covid-19 pandemic led to more than 7 million deaths, global economic depressions and political disputes about vaccine distribution. Although many political actors emphasised the importance of vaccine equity in the beginning of the pandemic, global vaccine distribution mechanisms like COVAX were quickly abandoned. The high vaccine inequity led to a prolonged pandemic that negatively affected both Global North and South. While many former studies focused on establishing the reasons for a lack of vaccine equity, it is relevant to analyse to what extent political actors have critically reflected upon these reasons and acquired new understandings of how to improve vaccine equity during future pandemics. This research filled the gap by applying the policy learning framework by Heikkila & Gerlak (2013) and conducting a qualitative content analysis of EU Parliamentary Debates. The findings suggest a learning process of the European Parliament which entails: a strengthened belief that...Show moreThe Covid-19 pandemic led to more than 7 million deaths, global economic depressions and political disputes about vaccine distribution. Although many political actors emphasised the importance of vaccine equity in the beginning of the pandemic, global vaccine distribution mechanisms like COVAX were quickly abandoned. The high vaccine inequity led to a prolonged pandemic that negatively affected both Global North and South. While many former studies focused on establishing the reasons for a lack of vaccine equity, it is relevant to analyse to what extent political actors have critically reflected upon these reasons and acquired new understandings of how to improve vaccine equity during future pandemics. This research filled the gap by applying the policy learning framework by Heikkila & Gerlak (2013) and conducting a qualitative content analysis of EU Parliamentary Debates. The findings suggest a learning process of the European Parliament which entails: a strengthened belief that more vaccine equity is necessary when handling future global health crises as well as an in-depth understanding of potential policies that could advance equity during global health crises. These cognitive learning products are likely to shape future policy making of the EU regarding global vaccine equity.Show less

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EU Reflections on Vaccine Inequity during Covid-19: Learning from the lack of vaccine equity during the global Covid-19 response