Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of nearly 2 million people worldwide. 1 Following rapid sequencing of SARS-CoV-2, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions rapidly generated vaccine candidates on the back of a variety of both established and novel vaccine platforms. 2–4 Vaccines accelerated at unprecedented pace to phase 3 development, and in December 2020, two mRNA vaccines and one inactivated vaccine were authorised for use in a number of countries. Additional vaccine platforms and candidates are in late stages of phase 3 testing. 5 Prioritisation of vaccine access is generally determined by regional health authorities on the basis of risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and risk of developing complications from COVID-19 in order to equitably protect and promote global public well-being. 6–8