1. Procurement of Vaccines
Governments are tasked with securing an adequate supply of vaccines from manufacturers. This involves negotiating contracts with manufacturers to secure a guaranteed quantity doses of vaccines over a specified period, reducing the risk of vaccines shortage.
Other than that, governments are responsible for establishment of distribution channels in order to secure priority access to vaccines once they receive regulatory approval or emergency use authorization. This ensures vaccines reach all regions of the country in a timely manner, reducing the risk of delays in vaccination campaigns.
2. Public Education
Governments must actively engage in public education campaigns to inform citizens regarding the importance of vaccination in order to raise consciousness and awareness among all segments of the population. One way of doing that includes broadcasting authentic news regarding data of fatality rate before vaccination and after vaccination.
Not only that, governments should also address any existing misconceptions or concerns regarding the side effects or negative influence of the vaccines, this will aid in the promotion of citizens’ confidence in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. For instance, governments may disseminate information regarding the significance and clinical benefits of vaccines through various channels such as mass media, social media, and community outreach programs.
3. Prioritisation of Citizens
Governments should establish priority groups for vaccination based on factors such as risk of exposure to virus, vulnerability to severe illness, and essential roles in society. For instance, citizens with occupations that require high exposure to virus should be given priority while accessing vaccination, such citizens include healthcare workers and front-line workers.
Moreover, vulnerable groups such as elderly populations, people with congenital diseases, and pregnant women should also be prioritised for vaccination. Such marginalized and vulnerable groups may face barriers to access vaccination i.e. lack of transportation, language barriers, or vaccine hesitancy. By allocating them as priority groups, equitable distribution of vaccines among their community can be ensured.
4. International Collaboration
Given the global nature of the pandemic, collaboration between governments of different nations, international organizations, and vaccine manufacturers is essential to mitigate the spread of the virus. For instance, governments should participate in international initiatives such as COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) to ensure equitable access to vaccines worldwide.
Not to mention, governments should also engage in partnerships for vaccine research, development, and productions with other healthcare facilities or higher institutions around the globe. These strategic partnerships allow governments to access a broader range of expertise, skills, and knowledge in vaccine development, strengthening healthcare systems and research capabilities. Consequently, this contributes to long-term advancements in global health science and development.
Compiled by: Vincci Ng
Supervised by: George Ngui