Vaccine Diplomacy

Global Health and Foreign

Policy
 Speakers
● Sashtia Bailey

● Tavia Betty

● Chanice Gordon

● Voshawn Williams
 Objectives
At the end of this presentation students should be able to:

EXplain the Understand the

State
relation the of issue of vaccine
recommendations
Vaccine diplomacy in
to the issue of
Diplomacy to Jamaica and
vaccine
health and compare it to
diplomacy
foreign policy China
 What is Vaccine Diplomacy?

● Vaccine diplomacy is a form of international relations whereby

countries use the distribution of vaccines and other medical
assistance as a tool to build political alliances, strengthen existing
relationships, or to influence other countries.(Brooks & Shok, 2022)
● It can involve countries providing medical assistance to one another
or sending vaccines and other medical supplies to countries in need.
Vaccine diplomacy has become increasingly important as the world
continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
 Vaccine Diplomacy relation to
Health and Foreign Policy
● Vaccine diplomacy is also related to foreign policy

because it can be used to advance a country's

strategic interests. (Brooks & Shok, 2022)

● For example, providing vaccines to countries in strategic

regions can help to strengthen diplomatic ties and

increase influence. Similarly, providing vaccines in

response to a global health crisis can help to position a

country as a leader in the international community.

 Vaccine Diplomacy as an issue
in Jamaica
● Wealthier countries may prioritize their own citizens and allies for
vaccination, leaving developing countries like Jamaica with limited access
to vaccines.(Griffith, 2021) This can prolong the pandemics and have
serious public health consequences for the Jamaican population.

● Vaccine diplomacy on Jamaica has the potential for political influence.

Countries providing vaccines may use them as leverage to gain political
favors or influence in Jamaica, which can compromise the country's
sovereignty and decision-making ability.
 Comparing Vaccine diplomacy to China

China has been accused of using vaccine diplomacy to advance its

own geopolitical interests and undermine those of other countries .
(Kobierecka, 2022,)Here are some ways in which China's vaccine
diplomacy has been criticized:
● Tying vaccines to political demands
● Making demands for access to sensitive data
● Providing low-quality vaccines
Comparing Vaccine diplomacy to China

Making
Tying Providing
demands for
Vaccines to low-quality
access to
political vaccines
sensitive
demands
data
Recommendations on how to reduce the effects of
Vaccine diplomacy

● Increase transparency and accountability: Governments

should ensure that vaccine diplomacy is conducted in a
transparent and accountable manner.
● Establish an international body to coordinate vaccine
distribution: Governments should establish an international
body to coordinate vaccine distribution, both within countries
and across borders. This body should ensure equitable access
to vaccines and ensure that vaccine distribution is conducted
in a fair and transparent manner.
● Promote equitable access to vaccines: Governments should
ensure that vaccines are provided to all people, regardless of
their nationality or socio-economic status.
Conclusion
 References

Brooks, M., & Shok, N. (2022, September 19). Vaccine Diplomacy in the Wake of COVID-19. Wilson Center.
Retrieved May 2, 2023, from https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/vaccine-diplomacy-wake-covid-19

Griffith, I. (2021, December 9). Vaccination and Vaccine Diplomacy in the Caribbean. Global Americans.
Retrieved May2, 2023, from https://theglobalamericans.org/2021/12/vaccine-diplomacy-in-the-caribbean/

Kobierecka, A. (2022, May 14). Post-covid China: ‘vaccine diplomacy’ and the new developments of Chinese
foreign policy. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41254-022-00266-2