Guest Contributors

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the stark inequities in global vaccine distribution, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While wealthier nations secured early access to vaccines, many LMICs struggled to obtain enough doses, prolonging the pandemic and contributing to the rise of new variants. This disparity underscored the urgent need for more equitable vaccine access, especially in the context of global health security.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) vaccination prevents between 2 and 3 million deaths each year and, alongside clean drinking water, is one...

One of the most controversial business decisions for the healthcare industry is to establish equitable access to essential medicines and technology with a reasonable return on investment after spending a significant amount on failed vaccines, or any drug, before reaching a successful one. Pharmaceuticals set drug prices with the argument that it finances research and development (R&D) for better treatments or for the development of a vaccine. Even if this calculation is true, maximizing profits for shareholders might be a variable of influence at the expense of access to medicines and, arguably, beyond ethical standards.

Growing need for proactive measures Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through infected Ixodes ticks, is the most prevalent vector-borne infectious disease in the...