Model UN Background Guide

Committee: World Health Organization (WHO)

Topic: Vaccine Equity

Conference Year: 2026

Topic Background

Vaccine equity refers to the fair and just distribution of vaccines across all populations, regardless of geographic location, economic status, or political influence. Historically, vaccine development and distribution have faced challenges related to access disparities, particularly between high-income and low-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly highlighted these inequities: while wealthy nations secured large vaccine supplies early through advance purchase agreements, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experienced prolonged delays in accessing vaccines, leading to preventable morbidity and mortality.

The global response to COVID-19 included efforts such as COVAX, a multilateral initiative aimed at equitable vaccine distribution. However, COVAX struggled with funding shortfalls, supply chain disruptions, and vaccine nationalism, underscoring systemic weaknesses in global health governance and supply mechanisms. Beyond COVID-19, inequities persist in vaccines for diseases such as measles, HPV, and influenza, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.

As of 2026, vaccine equity remains a critical agenda item for the WHO due to ongoing challenges in pandemic preparedness, the emergence of new infectious diseases, and the need to strengthen health systems globally. Additionally, intellectual property rights, manufacturing capacity, cold chain logistics, and vaccine hesitancy continue to complicate equitable access. The WHO’s role in coordinating international efforts to ensure equitable vaccine access is vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Key Actors

States:

• High-income countries (HICs): United States, European Union member states, Japan, Canada, Australia — typically vaccine producers and donors with significant influence over global supply chains and intellectual property frameworks.
• Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): India, Nigeria, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia — often recipients of vaccines and advocates for increased access, local manufacturing, and technology transfer.
• Emerging economies: China, Russia, Turkey — vaccine producers and exporters with growing roles in global vaccine diplomacy and manufacturing capacity.

International Organizations:

• World Health Organization (WHO): Central coordinator of global health initiatives, including vaccine distribution frameworks and standards.
• Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance: Public-private partnership focused on increasing vaccine access in LMICs through funding and procurement support.
• Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI): Funds vaccine research and development, especially for emerging infectious diseases.
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): Major procurer and distributor of vaccines for children worldwide.
• World Trade Organization (WTO): Key in discussions on intellectual property rights affecting vaccine patents and technology sharing.

Bloc Positions

1. High-Income Countries (HICs) Bloc:

• Generally emphasize the importance of protecting intellectual property rights to incentivize innovation.
• Support voluntary licensing and public-private partnerships but are cautious about compulsory licensing or patent waivers.
• Advocate for strengthening global supply chains and funding multilateral mechanisms like COVAX, though sometimes criticized for vaccine nationalism.

2. Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) Bloc:

• Strong proponents of vaccine equity, calling for greater technology transfer, local manufacturing capacity, and patent waivers to improve access.
• Emphasize the need for sustained financial support and flexible procurement mechanisms.
• Advocate for reforming global health governance to better represent LMIC interests.

3. Emerging Economies Bloc:

• Position themselves as vaccine producers and exporters, offering alternatives to Western vaccines.
• Support South-South cooperation and regional manufacturing hubs.
• Advocate for balanced approaches to intellectual property that protect innovation while expanding access.

4. Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Bloc (informal but influential):

• Push for transparency in vaccine pricing and contracts.
• Advocate for community engagement to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
• Call for comprehensive approaches that include social determinants of health alongside vaccine access.

Past UN Action

• World Health Assembly Resolutions: The WHO has adopted multiple resolutions addressing vaccine access and equity, including WHA 72.5 (2019) on immunization and WHA 73.1 (2020) endorsing the COVAX Facility.
• UN General Assembly Resolutions: The UNGA has passed resolutions urging member states to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, including A/RES/74/274 (2020).
• Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP): A WHO-led strategy (2011-2020) aimed at increasing immunization coverage worldwide, highlighting equity as a core principle.
• Pandemic Treaty Negotiations: Ongoing discussions under WHO auspices to create a binding international instrument to improve pandemic preparedness and response, including equitable access to vaccines.
• Reports: WHO and partners have issued reports on vaccine equity gaps, such as the “Global Vaccine Market Report” and assessments of COVAX’s performance.

Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can WHO member states enhance global manufacturing capacity to reduce reliance on a limited number of producers?
2. What mechanisms can be established or strengthened to facilitate technology transfer and voluntary licensing agreements?
3. How should intellectual property rights be balanced with public health needs during health emergencies?
4. What strategies can improve vaccine distribution logistics, including cold chain infrastructure, in resource-limited settings?
5. How can international funding and financing mechanisms be adapted to ensure sustainable vaccine procurement for LMICs?
6. What role should WHO play in monitoring and ensuring transparency in vaccine pricing and procurement contracts?
7. How can vaccine hesitancy be addressed globally, particularly in vulnerable and marginalized communities?

Further Reading

UN Documents:

• Official WHO reports, World Health Assembly resolutions, and UN General Assembly resolutions related to immunization and vaccine equity provide authoritative insights into the international legal and policy framework. These documents offer detailed accounts of member states’ commitments and WHO’s strategic priorities.

Think-Tank Reports:

• Analyses from global health policy institutes such as the Center for Global Development, the Brookings Institution, and the Kaiser Family Foundation provide critical evaluations of vaccine equity challenges, financing models, and intellectual property debates. These reports often include policy recommendations and case studies.

News Outlets:

• Reputable international news sources like The Economist, BBC, and Reuters regularly cover vaccine distribution developments, geopolitical vaccine diplomacy, and public health challenges. These outlets provide up-to-date information and diverse perspectives on ongoing vaccine equity issues.

This background guide is intended to equip delegates with a comprehensive understanding of vaccine equity as it stands in 2026, enabling informed and effective debate in the WHO committee.