UK Core Issue: How Do We Distribute Covid Vaccines?

     For a little while now, scientist and researchers have been working on a vaccine for the coronavirus. While there have been different vaccines that have seemed to be the cure, none has yet been proven to cure those who attain COVID-19. Much research has been done, there have been multiple test trials of certain vaccines, and so much more has been done to find a vaccine. If a vaccine were discovered, how would it be ethically distributed.

    As a student at the University of Kentucky, I have formulated an idea of how I believe a coronavirus vaccine (if developed) should be distributed here in Fayette County, Kentucky. If there were only enough vaccine for a third of this county, I would say that the first to be vaccinated would be those actively working in the medical field. Being that this is quite a broad population, I would say that the vaccination should be given to front-line medical workers first. This does include any staff that may or may not be a doctor or nurse. For example, a custodian who works in an area/ section of the hospital that puts them at risk of attaining the coronavirus should be required to get a vaccination just as much as a doctor or nurse who may be working in that same area. After front-line workers have gotten it then I believe that those who are currently sick due to the coronavirus should get the vaccine. Notice how I put the front-line workers before the individuals who are directly being affected by the coronavirus. I made this decision because I believe that one (any individual who has COVID-19) will not be able to heal if those that are trying to take care of them are not immune to the virus. For example, a patient (with COVID) who is being taken care of by a doctor who could possibly have COVID-19, will not really be able to heal. 

    If there is any vaccine left, I believe that it should go to families who have loved ones who have had the coronavirus. After that I would say any individual who is working a job that is counted as "essential". For example those who work at warehouse and shipping companies and grocery stores.

    To ensure that those who need the vaccine most gets the vaccine first, I would make sure that it is affordable for everyone. I also believe that distributing the vaccine in the order that I mentioned above will ensure that those who need the vaccine most gets it first. 

    When discussing contextual factors, there are many factors that need to be determined. Age, previous health issues, exposure to the virus, and geographic region are all examples of contextual factors that would have to be determined when distributing the virus. For example, to determine which doctors, nurses, or faculty members get the vaccine first you would have to base that on which doctors, nurses, or faculty members are older. So an older doctor would most likely get vaccinated first.

    Taking on this task of distributing the vaccine would definitely be difficult. However, I do believe that through the formulated plan that I have discussed above, those who need the vaccine the most will get it first. While I do believe in my plan, it is quite difficult to determine what will work best when discussing distribution of a vaccine. Hopefully a plan is developed soon and hopefully it is effective in taking care of all individuals who may or even may not be affected!