Nationalism is an evolving phenomenon. That perhaps explains the reason for its various mutations. Among these new forms, ‘vaccine nationalism’ has, understandably, raised concern around the world. It has been reported that developed nations such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom have put in place a plan to stock the vaccine against Covid-19, if and when there is one, in a manner that is disproportionate to the needs of their respective populations. The US has made agreements with, reportedly, six pharmaceutical companies that are in the race to develop a drug, assuring itself of a combined 800 million doses. This essentially means that over two doses of the medicine would be available for every American citizen. The figure in the case of the UK is five doses per capita. This kind of predatory tactic and discriminatory sensibility is not unprecedented. At the dawn of the outbreak of the swine flu pandemic, economies with deeper pockets had been accused of hoarding vaccines to the detriment of poorer — needy — countries.

The implications of vaccine monopoly are many and dangerous. There are speculations that the capacity of manufacturing and distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine may be somewhat limited in the initial months. This means that if the bulk of the medication were to be pre-booked by two or more countries, the supply of the drug to the rest of the world would be adversely affected. This, in turn, raises the possibility of the wait for the vaccine — even after a vaccine is available — becoming longer. The death toll is likely to increase correspondingly. There is also the issue of pricing. Depleted supplies could push up prices, putting the medicine out of the reach of a number of economically weaker, populous nations. Vaccine nationalism, much like other strident forms of nationalism, has bared a fundamental, ugly truth. Populism, political compulsions and, most glaringly, myopia are being prioritized by regimes — democratic or authoritarian — over the right to equitable healthcare. This only goes to reiterate the importance of a programme like Covax, facilitated by the World Health Organization and its alliance partners, which seeks to make investments to ensure that successful vaccines can be developed and distributed fairly on a global scale. Unfortunately, Covax’s future is likely to be determined by collective political will. This element, central to international cooperation, seems to have been decimated by the contagion.