A panel dataset of COVID-19 vaccination policies in 185 countries

Abstract

We present a panel dataset of COVID-19 vaccine policies, with data from 01 January 2020 for 185 countries and a number of subnational jurisdictions, reporting on vaccination prioritization plans, eligibility and availability, cost to the individual and mandatory vaccination policies. For each of these indicators, we recorded who is targeted by a policy using 52 standardized categories. These indicators document a detailed picture of the unprecedented scale of international COVID-19 vaccination rollout and strategy, indicating which countries prioritized and vaccinated which groups, when and in what order. We highlight key descriptive findings from these data to demonstrate uses for the data and to encourage researchers and policymakers in future research and vaccination planning. Numerous patterns and trends begin to emerge. For example: 'eliminator' countries (those that aimed to prevent virus entry into the country and community transmission) tended to prioritize border workers and economic sectors, while 'mitigator' countries (those that aimed to reduce the impact of community transmission) tended to prioritize the elderly and healthcare sectors for the first COVID-19 vaccinations; high-income countries published prioritization plans and began vaccinations earlier than low- and middle-income countries. Fifty-five countries were found to have implemented at least one policy of mandatory vaccination. We also demonstrate the value of combining this data with vaccination uptake rates, vaccine supply and demand data, and with further COVID-19 epidemiological data.

Fig. 1. Vaccine prioritization themes by country.

Countries in blue prioritized certain aspects or functions of population groups as part of their first round of COVID-19 vaccinations (position rank 1). Education (educators, primary/tertiary students, tertiary education students); Clinically vulnerable (clinically vulnerable/chronic illness/significant underlying health condition); Socially vulnerable (ethnic minorities, refugees/migrants, crowded/communal living); Economic function (frontline retail workers, frontline/essential workers, airport/border staff, other high-contact professions, factory workers); Healthcare workforce (healthcare workers, staff in elderly care homes, people living with a vulnerable person); Public function (government officials, police/first responders, military, religious/spiritual leaders).

Fig. 2. Variation in timing of vaccine rollout.

The timing of COVID-19 vaccination plans and administration/eligibility for vaccines varied greatly between countries and territories. Data current until 15 July 2022.

Fig. 3. Vaccination of elderly populations, children and infants.

Variation in prioritization and eligibility (V1 and V2) of elderly people and LTCFs (elderly homes) for COVID-19 vaccination before universal eligibility (16/18+ yr vaccine dependent) for COVID-19 vaccination. Following ‘universal’ COVID-19 vaccination eligibility (V1) in most countries, eligibility (V2) for infants (0–4 yr) and children (5–15 yr) were added at later dates. Data current to 15 June 2022.

Fig. 4. Vaccination of pregnant people, ethnic minorities and refugees/migrants.

Some countries prioritized certain groups in their published plans (V1), while other countries added eligibility for these groups ad hoc as vaccinations were already underway (V2). This image shows which countries either specifically prioritized or added eligibility for these groups. Data current to 15 June 2022.

Fig. 5. Mandatory vaccine timing and groups.

Introduction of mandatory COVID-19 vaccine (V4) for occupational groups, general population (captured if any age group mandated) and vulnerable groups and/or socially vulnerable groups (refer to Table 2 for specific categories). The nations that introduced mandatory vaccinations are grouped by World Bank income groupings. Data current to 15 June 2022.