Multilateralism and the Challenges Faced by Latin American Countries in Accessing Covid-19 Vaccines
1
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3154
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed structural weaknesses in the global health research and development model, particularly regarding equitable access to vaccines. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), socioeconomic and health system vulnerabilities were exacerbated, highlighting inequalities in innovation capacity and access to health technologies.
METHODS:
The study analyzed the global landscape and the initiatives of international organizations to promote access to Covid-19 vaccines in LAC. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including document analysis from international organizations, secondary data on vaccine development and availability, bibliographic research, and semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS:
The findings are organized into two parts. The first examines the global development of Covid-19 vaccines in pre-clinical and clinical phases, revealing significant asymmetries in research and development across countries and regions. The second analyzes the epidemiological and socioeconomic context of LAC, the strategies adopted to access vaccines, and the outcomes in terms of vaccination coverage. The results highlight the central role of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in coordinating regional initiatives. Despite the rapid development of vaccines, global competition for doses, dependence on pharmaceutical imports, and the concentration of purchases by high-income countries limited equitable access. While the Covax initiative played an important role, it was insufficient to fully meet regional needs.
CONCLUSIONS:
The pandemic underscored the need for a more equitable and resilient global health governance system. In LAC, structural dependencies and access inequalities constrained vaccination efforts. PAHO’s initial reliance on Covax and the subsequent use of the Revolving Fund illustrate both the contributions and limitations of existing mechanisms. The experience highlights the importance of more agile, adaptable, and equitable mechanisms for global health research, development, and procurement, capable of responding effectively to supply fluctuations and access disparities during health crises.
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed structural weaknesses in the global health research and development model, particularly regarding equitable access to vaccines. In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), socioeconomic and health system vulnerabilities were exacerbated, highlighting inequalities in innovation capacity and access to health technologies.
METHODS:
The study analyzed the global landscape and the initiatives of international organizations to promote access to Covid-19 vaccines in LAC. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including document analysis from international organizations, secondary data on vaccine development and availability, bibliographic research, and semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS:
The findings are organized into two parts. The first examines the global development of Covid-19 vaccines in pre-clinical and clinical phases, revealing significant asymmetries in research and development across countries and regions. The second analyzes the epidemiological and socioeconomic context of LAC, the strategies adopted to access vaccines, and the outcomes in terms of vaccination coverage. The results highlight the central role of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in coordinating regional initiatives. Despite the rapid development of vaccines, global competition for doses, dependence on pharmaceutical imports, and the concentration of purchases by high-income countries limited equitable access. While the Covax initiative played an important role, it was insufficient to fully meet regional needs.
CONCLUSIONS:
The pandemic underscored the need for a more equitable and resilient global health governance system. In LAC, structural dependencies and access inequalities constrained vaccination efforts. PAHO’s initial reliance on Covax and the subsequent use of the Revolving Fund illustrate both the contributions and limitations of existing mechanisms. The experience highlights the importance of more agile, adaptable, and equitable mechanisms for global health research, development, and procurement, capable of responding effectively to supply fluctuations and access disparities during health crises.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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