Lockdowns, unprecedented economic contraction, record-breaking vaccine development, rebound, supply-side pressures, inflation pressures, new COVID variants, more lockdowns…
Amid the biggest health and economic crisis in generations, collective human endeavour has resulted in the development and distribution of vaccines at breakneck speed – but many challenges lie ahead. They can only be overcome if we continue to tap that deep well of human ingenuity – to rethink, reimagine and rebuild a global economy that is more inclusive, more sustainable and more resilient.
Vaccinating the world is a vital first step: here are five key insights.
Government policies on travel and mobility aim to achieve greater certainty and safety on movement both within and between countries. Vaccines play a critical role. A more effective worldwide vaccination programme offers the prospect of lower risks of infection and weakened threats of new COVID variants.
Bolstering safe cross-border travel would provide critical support to the tourism and business sectors – and to the wider international economy.
Four steps to drive forward the global vaccination drive:
Improve access: prioritise programmes targeting the spread of new variants; increase supply to low- and middle-income countries through COVAX and share excess doses.
Support safe travel: share best practice for safe travel and improve consistency of travel rules
Continue to closely monitor variants: track virus transmission chains and the possible emergence of new vaccine-resistant strains
Build trust: address public concerns about vaccine safety and build partnerships with civil society to tackle misinformation and disinformation.