The politics of access: vaccine diplomacy, migrant health equity and the COVID-19 response

AKM Ahsan Ullah

Third World Quarterly, 2025, vol. 46, issue 12, 1439-1460

Abstract: This article examines the intersection of vaccine diplomacy, migrant health equity and global COVID-19 responses, highlighting the geopolitical contestations surrounding vaccine distribution. The study critiques the monopolisation of vaccine production by a few high-income countries, leading to disparities in access, particularly for marginalised migrant populations. It argues that vaccine diplomacy, often driven by state-centric power rivalries, has prioritised strategic alliances over equitable global immunisation efforts. Migrants, especially undocumented and low-wage workers, have been disproportionately excluded from national vaccination programmes, exacerbating existing health inequities. The article advocates for the removal of intellectual property restrictions on COVID-19 vaccines, greater international collaboration, and targeted policy interventions to ensure inclusive healthcare access. By integrating perspectives from global health governance and political economy, this study underscores the need for equitable vaccine policies that transcend geopolitical manoeuvring and prioritise public health for all.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2025.2546666

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