From expanding Covid-19 vaccines to preparing for future pandemics, the path ahead for global vaccination efforts.

Vaccines have long been a cornerstone of preventive healthcare, with regular immunizations against diseases like diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough being routine in many developed nations. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has redefined the role of vaccines, placing them at the forefront of public health discussions. Terms such as “spike protein,” “mRNA,” and “herd immunity” have become common vernacular, reflecting the growing importance of vaccines in combating global health crises.

As of October 2021, approximately 67% of the UK and 57% of the US population were fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Despite this progress, a significant gap remains. Over 6.4 billion doses have been administered globally, yet many lower-income countries have vaccinated less than 0.1% of their populations. This disparity has led to what the World Health Organization (WHO) calls a “two-track pandemic,” where wealthier nations achieve higher vaccination rates while poorer countries struggle to access vaccines.

The future of vaccines lies not only in continuing to address Covid-19 but also in strengthening global vaccine distribution systems to ensure equity and prepare for future pandemics.