In a world of 7.9 billion people, some 5.57 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered globally. But in low-income countries, only 1.9% of the population has received even one dose. At the root of that vaccine inequity, say Northeastern experts, is an issue of who is calling the metaphorical shots and why.
“It’s complicated. It needs to be done in a very wise way,” says Nada Sanders, distinguished professor of supply chain management at Northeastern “It also has the potential for a lot of bad actors to come in.”
There is already an illegal market for COVID-19 vaccines, as well as personal protective equipment, vaccination cards, coronavirus tests, and other certifications, says Nikos Passas, professor of criminology and criminal justice and co-director of the Institute for Security and Public Policy at Northeastern. He is also leading a study to explore ways to disrupt the flow of money in illicit and counterfeit medicine networks.
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