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. 2022 Feb 10;10(2):266.
doi: 10.3390/vaccines10020266.

A Global Study on the Correlates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Palash Basak  1 , Tanvir Abir  2 , Abdullah Al Mamun  3 , Noor Raihani Zainol  4 , Mansura Khanam  5 , Md Rashidul Haque  6 , Abul Hasnat Milton  7 , Kingsley Emwinyore Agho  8   9   10
Affiliations

A Global Study on the Correlates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Palash Basak et al. Vaccines (Basel). .

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the association between the GDP of various countries and the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations; to explore how the global pattern holds in the continents, and investigate the spatial distribution pattern of COVID-19 vaccination progress for all countries. We have used consolidated data on COVID-19 vaccination and GDP from Our World in Data, an open-access data source. Data analysis and visualization were performed in R-Studio. There was a strong linear association between per capita income and the proportion of people vaccinated in countries with populations of one million or more. GDP per capita accounts for a 50% variation in the vaccination rate across the nations. Our assessments revealed that the global pattern holds in every continent. Rich European and North-American countries are most protected against COVID-19. Less developed African countries barely initiated a vaccination program. There is a significant disparity among Asian countries. The security of wealthier nations (vaccinated their citizens) cannot be guaranteed unless adequate vaccination covers the less affluent countries. Therefore, the global community should undertake initiatives to speed up the COVID-19 vaccination program in all countries of the world, irrespective of their wealth.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccination; GDP; developing countries; high-income countries; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Association of GDP per capita and COVID-19 vaccination rate (full or partial) across countries. The regression line has been presented with blue color. The figure shows that wealthier nations have higher vaccination rates.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Association of GDP per capita and COVID-19 full vaccination rate across countries. The relationship of both partial and full vaccination rates with GDP is similar.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Association between partial and full vaccination. Countries that have achieved a higher level of partial vaccination also reached a higher full vaccination, and most African countries are on the lower left side of the graph.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Association of GDP per capita and COVID-19 vaccination rate (full or partial) by continents. The figure shows that wealthier nations got higher vaccination rates on all continents.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Association of GDP per capita and COVID-19 full vaccination rate across continents. The relationship of both partial and full vaccination rates with GDP is similar in the continents.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Spatial distribution pattern of COVID-19 vaccination during August and December 2021. Countries in the American and European continent made the highest progress in providing at least one dose of vaccination to their population. Low-income African countries are still lagging behind.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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