As the world begins the vaccination drive, it is critical that we demand greater transparency from (the interim) Government
and Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) regarding its strategy in implementing the COVID-19 vaccination drive. In the context of
the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccination campaign, four actions are identified to ensure government actions are open for
public review, and public institutions are engaging with populations, particularly the segments who are more reluctant to
vaccinate. Governments should commit to transparency, publishing contracts and reporting details about terms, conditions, and
other aspects of the financing for Covid-19 pandemic vaccinations. Commit to transparency regarding funding of the Covid-19
vaccines by creating a publicly accessible database with details about all contracts that provide funding related to Covid-19
vaccines R&D;, production, or distribution.
This report explores the core elements of a human rights-based approach to Covid-19 vaccine funding, grounded in principles
of transparency and accountability. Transparency is critical in building knowledge and confidence necessary to ensure
sufficient support to ensure equitable access to vaccines, both within countries and across countries, as well as in
addressing misinformation that fuels vaccine hesitancy, an issue highlighted by 132 UN Member States. Governments must ensure
that information on, and results from, treatment and vaccine research are communicated in a transparent and comprehensive
manner.
It is essential for all residents in Lebanon to have equitable access to the vaccine in order to prevent COVID-19 from
spreading across the country and beyond. The main concern in Lebanon for 2021, alongside economic and stability challenges,
is ensuring equitable, non-cronyistic, transparent distribution of vaccines. Without a well-communicated strategy outlining
how COVID-19 would be managed, and given Lebanons inability to contain infections, vaccine distribution is the only path out
of the pandemic.
The rapid implementation of the nationwide vaccination campaign, in collaboration with all of our partners, and alongside
other public health measures, is critical in protecting not just the healthcare sector, but also in reducing the spread of
infections. Lebanon received Lebanons first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine Saturday, courtesy of aid from the World Bank, which
said it will oversee the vaccination campaign to ensure that shots reach the people who need them most. The World Bank is
overseeing the inoculation drive. In its first action funding procurement for coronavirus disease vaccines, the World Bank
reallocated $34 million from an existing Lebanon Health Project to help start a vaccination program.
Lebanon also launched a COVID-19 digital registration platform for vaccines on 28 January. In mid-January 2021, Lebanon
finally approved regulatory requirements for vaccine imports, although only limited quantities, following an unsuccessful
debate about the waiver of responsibility for possible adverse events . In consultation with the government and development
partners, World Bank-Finance has also established the International Joint Monitoring Board, composed of representatives from
World Bank, WHO, UNICEF, IOM, UNHCR, and UNRWA, to oversee national vaccine campaigns and to provide collaborative advocacy
during the entire process.