As the global COVID-19 pandemic has progressed, so too have efforts to develop, manufacture, and secure the supply of potentially effective vaccines. But procuring bodies face many challenges in getting vaccines in the hands of patients. They need to ensure that they secure supply and guarantee a vaccine is rapidly available in order to control the pandemic, protect healthcare systems, and keep their economies open, while risking criticism if they back vaccines that ultimately do not gain approval or have an inferior efficacy and safety profile.
In this PM360 Magazine article, we explain why it is essential to assume the correct balance of risk when considering vaccine procurement during a pandemic—this will help healthcare systems secure immediate supply but also support vaccine development and allow for the timely scale up of manufacturing capacity.
