The journey of the COVID-19 vaccine

Ria Dubey, Staff Writer & Juliette Salah, Staff Writer

Click each marker to learn about each country’s response to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Graphic by Grace Peng, Managing Online Editor

Introduction

With the vaccination process beginning to take place worldwide, The Messenger decided to take a look at vaccination trends across the globe. While gathering information from individuals in various continents, people from all over the world describe how their countries have been handling the vaccine. 

North America

Since the beginning of the pandemic, each country has had a unique response to the situation. Some countries shut down while others remained completely open. Similarly, each country has also chosen different ways to initiate the vaccination process. More often than not, the vaccine process is reflective of a country’s political state and the behavior of its citizens. Regardless of the countless differences, each country follows similar patterns of prioritizing those deemed as high risk and accelerating the vaccination process as much as possible.

Mexico:

In Mexico, the government has approved the CanSinoBIO, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sputnik V vaccines. Trends show the nation has been relying heavily on the distribution of the the CanSinoBIO vaccine, which was developed in China.

As in numerous other countries, Mexico has prioritized those over the age of 60 and those deemed as high risk. Most Mexicans are in favor of getting vaccinated, and while the government has yet to declare anything, many people think the vaccine will likely become a requirement in some way in the near future. As of now, though, people are not required to get vaccinated.

Though millions have received the first dose, the percentage of people fully vaccinated remains low. That is not to say, however, that people are not looking forward for the vaccination process to continue. Although the vaccine will greatly change Mexican citizens’ day-to-day lives, many plan on maintaining their current lifestyles and taking precautions against COVID-19. 

“[Once I get the vaccine things will] not change at all, I will keep taking care of myself and others with a face mask,” Cindy Cadena, a Mexican resident, said.

Unites States:

While most countries dictate their vaccine eligibility and distribution on a national level, the United States has left it up to state governments to decide what is best for them. There have been several concerns regarding this process from residents and professionals alike.

“It seems like each state is very much handling it the way that it wants to handle it,” Matthew Kamibayashi, a language arts teacher at Northview, said.  “And that's leading to a lot of inefficiencies.”

Using the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, most states have prioritized healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents and staff, and those over 65 years old.

Though most people around the world are in favor of taking the vaccine, there is a variety of opinions in the US regarding the legitimacy of the vaccine and the virus. Despite this opposition, many residents still plan on getting vaccinated and gradually returning to their normal lives. 

“[I will be] taking precautions but may get together with a few friends after they have received their second dose and waited two weeks,” Christina VanKuiken, Quarantine Supervisor at Peach Plains Elementary School in Michigan, said. “[I] will continue to take precaution and monitor myself and not get together if anyone is symptomatic.”

Europe

Vaccine trends in Europe can be best split into four groups: trends in the British Isles, southern and western Europe, northern Europe, and eastern Europe. Ever since the beginning of the pandemic, each European country has chosen to adapt as their leaders saw fit since the pandemic affected each nation differently. Europe as a whole has worked towards distributing vaccines as quickly and efficiently as possible, but each individual country has found its own method of doing so. 

Britain:

Prioritizing front-line workers and those over 80 years old, Britain is using the Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca vaccines in order to administer the doses most efficiently. As vaccination progressed, people over the age of 55 have also begun to get vaccinated.

“I think you can get it sooner, but you just have to prove your case, like say if you're a caretaker or you've got vulnerable people in your household,” Pritesh Pattani, an IT professional and London resident, said.

A majority of people in Britain are eagerly anticipating their turn to receive the vaccine, since vaccination may be required for certain activities such as traveling. The government is considering distributing COVID-19 passports, which will certify if a person has gotten their vaccine and is safe to travel.

“They're already talking about [COVID-19] passports in Europe anyway,” Pattani said. “So, you'll only be able to go to these countries, whether when they know that you've been vaccinated, essentially.”

Scotland:

Scotland has been under a strict lockdown since early January, and residents are hoping that restrictions will ease with the arrival of the vaccine. Though the Moderna vaccine has approval, it will only be available later in the year. Thus, the country is currently distributing the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines according to a detailed vaccine rollout plan. Front-line workers, those over 60 years old, and people 16-64 years old with underlying health conditions have already received their vaccines, and Scotland moved to the eighth stage of the rollout. during which those 55-59 years old will get vaccinated, March 15. Although it seems as though a majority of Scottish people are looking forward to the vaccine, it is not mandatory.

“There is some discussion of requiring nurses and healthcare professionals to get a vaccination. However, this has not been decreed yet,” Rachel Wilson-Lowe, a Northview alumna and public health researcher in Scotland, said. “I can definitely see the rationale behind requiring people to get the vaccine, and there is precedent as certain vaccines are required to attend public school.”

The vaccine is a requirement for traveling to certain countries, but it does not significantly impact day-to-day life in Scotland, as national lockdowns are still in place.

“I can't wait to be able to go to a restaurant again or do something fun and silly like bowling,” Wilson-Lowe said. “But the biggest milestone for me will be when either my mom can come visit here, or I can fly back to the US to visit friends and family.”

Finland:

Finland, on the other hand, has had a different approach throughout the pandemic - one could even say they have a “northerner’s approach”. Therefore, it is not surprising that the vaccination process also differs from other regions of Europe. 

Like many other European countries, Finland has two main vaccines available at the moment: Pfizer and AstraZeneca. In terms of those prioritized for the vaccine, the Finnish government has chosen to prioritize those over the age of 75 and also those who fall in risk group one (this includes organ transfer, Down Syndrome, cancer, diabetes type 2, etc.).

For essentially the entirety of the pandemic, Finnish schools have remained open, and the country has managed to contain the number of COVID-19 cases to also allow jobs to remain open as well. When it comes to figuring out if the vaccine will become mandatory, the public is unsure. 

“I don’t think it will be required,” Kirsi LaPointe, professor at Aalto University, said. “Our law does not allow for it, at least employers cannot require it.”

Similarly, to other countries across the globe, it would seem that a majority of people in Finland would opt to get the vaccine; many hoping to return to a more normal life.

“Once I get it, I will see my parents and friends more often [indoors], meet my colleagues live for the first time, and go to restaurants, art exhibitions, theater, and movies,” LaPointe said.

France:

In France, the first vaccine the government introduced was Pfizer. Since then, the government has introduced two other vaccines, Moderna and AstraZeneca. 

“One can imagine that Johnson & Johnson, CureVac, and Sputnik V will soon be licensed,” Jean-Christophe Bacon, Air France Station Manager at Marseille, France, said. “We have to wait for the approval by the European Medicines Agency and by the French General Directorate-General for Health.”

The French government chose to prioritize people over the age of 75 years old early on because they were at high risk. Its initial target, having less than 10% of the population vaccinated, remained rather low due to a lack of vaccines.

“In early March, the French Government decided to increase the target,” Bacon said. “At the same time, health people and firefighters are allowed to be vaccinated, but it is not compulsory.”

Many seem inclined to get their vaccine, but similar to numerous other places around the world, there are people who would rather avoid it.

“I don't want them to vaccinate me because I have so many allergies, and I had a very bad experience with a vaccine,” Nadia Salah, retired from Lille Cityhall International Relations, said. “And since then, I refuse to get vaccinated. I am too vulnerable.”

The French government and health agencies have done their part in reaching out to the public and discussing why a vaccine would be beneficial.

“I must say that the campaign information on the people dealing with, giving the information on the vaccine, and what it really means - I think the message is really getting into everybody's mind,” Salah said.

As of now, the vaccine is not required for schools, workplaces, or any travel. However, many people seem to think that a vaccination passport may be used to regulate travel and other activities in the future, although it will depend on what the European governments decide.

Africa

On top of the pandemic, numerous places in Africa also face political instability and numerous humanitarian crises. Some countries have their own governments providing them with vaccines through independent vaccination programs. However, many others rely on COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access), a global organization established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to increase vaccine accessibility. 

Libya:

Taking a closer look at Libya, a country filled with an on-going humanitarian crisis along with political and military instability since 2011 (referred to as the Libyan Crisis), there are very few vaccines available in the area, and COVID-19 vaccination is not at the top of the priority list at the moment.

In January, the country ordered 2.8 doses, which have yet to arrive, through COVAX. The first vaccines are likely to get distributed amongst health professionals, so it may be a while before they reach the public. However, due to government corruption, which has caused Libya’s economy to struggle, it is difficult to surmise the nation’s future plans. 

Nevertheless, like in all parts of the world, many people hope that a vaccine will soon arrive for life to return to its pre-COVID-19 state while others remain wary of it.

“If I get it, it won't be a big difference because I must not trust in this virus. [I will] keep taking all the precautions needed to keep on in my life,” Samar Chahine, French teacher at International School of the Martyrs in Tripoli, Libya, said. “Our daily routine won't be that different but maybe with a bit of confidence for some and not some others.”

Asia

As one of the biggest distributors of the COVID-19 vaccine, Asia is one step ahead in achieving normalcy. With vaccines from several different companies available, India and China are making swift progress with vaccination in their respective countries. As both nations begin to enforce different regulations and precautions, their residents are hopeful for a full recovery. 

China:

China has developed four different vaccines, CanSinoBIO, Sinovac, and two from Sinopharm. The government has prioritized vaccine distribution to front-line workers, starting with health and community workers. Others, such as taxi drivers, airport workers, police officials, and people handling imported goods, are also near the top of the list. 

“As a teacher, my colleagues and I are among the early recipients of the vaccine and from February,” Elizabeth Hawker, a kindergarten teacher at Dulwich College International in Suzhou, China, said. “It is being distributed by age as well, so younger teachers will be in the next round of vaccinations which take place each week. Shots are free for these workers.”

Tracing and tracking are still the main methods for COVID-19 control, along with showing a regularly updated healthcare and travel code, a requirement for going into crowded places such as malls. People are still encouraged to wear face masks, even if China has yet to report a case of COVID-19 for quite a few weeks. This method of control will likely remain as more people get vaccinated; the government seems set on establishing a sort of vaccination passport.

“Refusal rates for vaccinations in China are generally much lower than in the US, and some vaccinations are compulsory - like TB for example,” Hawker said. “Most people are very aware of the impact it could have in China’s crowded cities and its remote corners, so people are willing to go along with government recommendations as to the vaccination and tracing apps.”

India:

Meanwhile, India is currently using Covishield (a version of the AstraZeneca vaccine) and COVAXIN to fight off the virus. As one of the countries leading in the manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, they are prioritizing healthcare professionals, those over 60 years old, and those over 45 years old with preexisting medical conditions to receive their doses. Although the vaccine is currently mandatory, Samarth Dubey, a doctor on the front lines in India, believes it will not remain that way as the virus mutates, and new technologies develop.

“A particular mutation might change the particular morphology of the virus, making the immune system feel like it is encountering the virus for the first time,” Dubey said.

While this may be true, doctors and other residents are still looking forward to their turn. As a receiver of the vaccine in India, Dubey has not observed any major symptoms other than a slight numbness in his arm.

Middle East

Despite political and economic unrest in certain parts of the region, many countries were able to start the vaccination process during the end of 2020 or early 2021. Numerous vaccines have been approved including Pfizer, Sinopharm, and AstraZeneca. Some countries, such as Iran, are also participating in COVAX in the hopes of securing more vaccines.

United Arab Emirates:

Although it has approved the Pfizer, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, and AstraZeneca vaccines, the UAE relies mainly on the Pfizer and Sinopharm vaccines, especially since it was one of the first countries to approve the latter. At the start of the vaccination process, vaccines were only available to UAE citizens, however, as the government began to receive more of the Sinopharm vaccine, they expanded eligibility to the general public. 

As of now, the country is prioritizing people over the age of 60 and those with preexisting medical conditions. While the vaccine is not mandatory, many job seekers in Dubai and other cities are now required to get vaccinated.

“If you're working in government entities, at least in Dubai, in Abu Dhabi, if you want to enter one of the government buildings, you have to be vaccinated,” Maxime Clemenceau, Senior Manager at PwC in Dubai, said. “So, for consultants like me, I'm not allowed to visit my clients.”

The public remains unsure regarding whether or not vaccination will be required to enter the country or even to go to work and school in the future. Either way, the UAE continues vaccinating people at a steady pace, with almost a fourth of the population soon to become vaccinated. 

Australia

Australia is another user of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines. It is steadily distributing its doses to those over 60 years old as well as front-line workers. However, mandating the vaccine is currently a controversial topic in government.

“[Politicians] don't want to be forced into getting a vaccine,” Sachin Sudhir, an Australian resident, said. “They want to do it of their own volition, so there's a lot of politics being played around this.”

Though there have been protests against the vaccine in cities such as Melbourne, Australia, the general consensus seems to be that most Australians want to take the vaccine even if it is not required by the government.

“I think at the end of the day the Prime Minister made a statement a month ago or so and said people would take the vaccine out of their own will if they want to, so no one will be forced to take the vaccine,” Sudhir said.