The COVID-19 pandemic and access to vaccines in Latin America and the Caribbean: strategies adopted by the WHO and PAHOPandemia de COVID-19 e acesso a vacinas na América Latina e Caribe: estratégias da OMS e da OPAS.
This study analyzes the strategies of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to promote access to COVID-19 vaccines in Latin America and the Caribbean, exploring the vaccines administered, vaccination coverage in the countries, and inequalities in vaccination in the region. The study method combines analysis of secondary data and of documents, and interviews with key informants. The results show advances and limitations of the WHO and PAHO initiatives to promote vaccine equity, adopt redistributive measures to reduce inequalities in access to vaccines, and achieve the established global coverage goals. This study identified structural and political-institutional factors that favored or hindered the action of these organizations in vaccine distribution and promotion of vaccination equity during the pandemic. The role of these multilateral organizations in global and regional health arrangements is critically discussed in terms of their legitimacy, institutional capacity, and technical competence. The conclusions highlight the importance of strengthening mechanisms of global solidarity and helping Latin American nations overcome structural problems, such as limited national production and scientific and technological dependence, which hampered vaccination processes and aggravated inequalities between countries during the health emergency.