A new study finds that the next pandemic could be less deadly if vaccines are shared more fairly across countries. It models a hypothetical flu pandemic and suggests that changing how vaccines are allocated could avert about 2.7 million deaths worldwide.
The research is based on work by the NUS–Lancet PRIME Commission, which simulates an influenza A outbreak using factors such as population size rather than purchasing power. Under the modeled approach of fast-tracking vaccine development and distributing doses in line with population needs, the study estimates that total deaths could be reduced from about 58.5 million to about 23.9 million.
Both outlets describe the same central finding, but they emphasize different implications. The Guardian also notes that a shift toward population-based allocation could increase the death toll in wealthier countries relative to a status-quo scenario, reflecting trade-offs between regions. IOL focuses more directly on the overall reduction in deaths if vaccine access is adjusted to be less dependent on ability to pay.
