New waves, new variants, old inequity: a continuing COVID-19 crisis

• Published in: BMJ global health Vol. 6; no. 8; p. e007031
• Main Authors: Saha, Senjuti, Tanmoy, Arif Mohammad, Tanni, Afroza Akter, Goswami, Sharmistha, Sium, Syed Muktadir Al, Saha, Sudipta, Islam, Shuborno, Hooda, Yogesh, Malaker, Apurba Rajib, Anik, Ataul Mustufa, Haq, Md Saidul, Jabin, Tasnim, Hossain, Md Mobarok, Tabassum, Nazifa, Rahman, Hafizur, Hossain, Md Jibon, Islam, Mohammad Shahidul, Saha, Samir K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.08.2021; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Antimicrobial agents; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines; Dengue fever; Disease transmission; Genomes; Humans; Immunization; Income; Infections; Low income groups; Pandemics; Pharmaceuticals; Population; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Supplies; Trends; Vaccines; Bangladesh; India; COVID-19; vaccines; immunisation
• ISSN: 2059-7908; 2059-7908
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-007031

[...]more concerningly, our plight is not unique - low-income and middle-income countries now contribute to a higher proportion of global COVID-19 cases but have received the minimum number of vaccine doses. Here, we, a group of scientists in Bangladesh, use data from a SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance study, our lived experiences and historical trends of vaccine access to argue that it is time for low-income and middle-income countries to realise that as long as we are not self-sufficient in vaccine production, this trend will continue. Indirect impact of COVID-19 on neonatal deaths has been reported,7 and impact on maternal health is estimated to be substantial.8 There has been a dip in childhood vaccination efforts.9 Rise in indiscriminate use of antimicrobials is paving the path for further rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Global vaccine inequity prevents effective control of the pandemic In Bangladesh, <5% of the population has been partially/fully vaccinated as of 28 July 2021.10 Known for its strong track record in vaccination policies and campaigns,11 and high vaccine confidence,12 Bangladesh started laying the groundwork for vaccine access when the earliest clinical trials started.