Challenging the Illusion: Health Equity Amidst New Variants

Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS • LMICs with limited capacities and infrastructures have experienced striking and disproportionate public health and economic losses during the COVID-19 pandemic—particularly due to imposed lockdowns and restrictions. • The pandemic’s emerging variants are a manifestation of unequal and unjust distribution of COVID-19 vaccination—unmasking “health equity” as an illusion. • No firm actions have been taken by HICs and powerful actors, who could be playing a leading role in offering solutions rather than privileging self-defeating interests. • The ongoing COVID-19 response and future efforts for pandemic preparedness should ensure health equity is made an urgent, core priority—rather than an afterthought.