COVID-19 vaccines and IHL: ensuring equal access in conflict-affected countries

ICRC Humanitarian Law and Policy Blog · May 14, 2021 · 11m

As countries struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the world’s focus is on developing a vaccine. While the virus itself affects all countries and people without discrimination, containing the pandemic carries specific challenges in armed conflict situations. Once a vaccine does become available, how can we ensure that everyone – including people living in war zones – have equal access to it? And what are the obligations towards the healthcare professionals and facilities involved in administering them? In this post, ICRC legal advisor Alexander Breitegger looks to international…