Priced out of protection: Ana Santos Rutschman on the politics of vaccine distribution

Should countries attempt to get dibs on a COVID-19 vaccine for their own citizens, even if it comes at the expense of more vulnerable populations in other countries? Ana Santos Rutschman, a law professor who specializes in health law and emerging health technologies, asks this question in her June 25, 2020 essay published in The Conversation. Her analysis of how governments are jockeying to sign pre-purchase agreements with vaccine manufacturers demonstrates the danger of nationalist policies for global health.

Ana Santos Rutschman–"How ‘Vaccine Nationalism’ Could Block Vulnerable Populations’ Access to COVID-19 Vaccines," The Conversation, 17 June 2020

 

1. Rutschman introduces the concept of “vaccine nationalism.” Explain this term in your own words. According to Rutschman, what are the major problems with vaccine nationalism for developing countries, for the process of vaccine development, and for global public health?
   
2. Rutschman argues that even though the U.S. is a major world power and can secure vaccine pre-purchase agreements, U.S. citizens might still be unable to get the COVID-19 vaccine. How is this possible? Who would be most likely to be left out, and how is this connected to the structure of the U.S. health care system? What are other ways vaccine manufacturers might be able to secure profits in lieu of high prices to the consumer?
3. In the final section of her argument, Rutschman sketches out a naysayer argument, explaining the benefits of pre-purchase agreements to manufacturers. Identify where in the text you see her using templates from Chapter 6 to plant this naysayer and make a concession while still standing her ground. What do you think? What role should international institutions play in determining who gets access to vaccines, and what might be a good model for distributing vaccines? Use a template from Chapter 4 to respond to Rutschman’s proposal.
4. Rutchsman states, “Nationalism is at odds with global health priorities.” Her argument comes at a time when nationalist movements are growing across the world, from Brexit in the UK, “America First” slogans in the U.S., and the Hindu National Party in India. Explain what nationalism is in your own words (you might check out historian Jill Lepore’s 2019 essay about the distinctions among “nationalism” and “patriotism”). What are the fundamental principles of nationalist movements, and how are they “at odds” with the global health challenges we face? Why does this matter? Compose a response to the “so what?” and “who cares?” questions for Rutschman’s argument against nationalism, using templates from Chapter 7.