The unprecedented feat of developing efficient and safe COVID-19 vaccines in less than a year was possible because of an unparalleled collaborative endeavor involving academia, biotech companies, and the global pharmaceutical industry, supported by public funds. The research and development for innovative vaccines originally took place in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, it was rapidly recognized that we will not overcome the pandemic until the entire world is protected, as expressed by the statement, “no one will be safe until everyone is safe”. Unfortunately, despite repeated commitments by political leaders and non-governmental organizations, the COVAX program, set up to ensure fair access to COVID-19 vaccines, fell short of its ambitious objectives.
