Graphic showing a map of the world, a hand holding a test tube and two men wearing masks
Report summary

What people think about global access to Covid-19 treatments and vaccines

Our polling of more than 6,000 adults in the UK, the USA, Germany and France shows strong public support for making sure that any new coronavirus (Covid-19) treatments and vaccines are first made available to those who need them most.

What’s inside

  • perspectives on global access to Covid-19 treatments and vaccines, based on a YouGov poll, commissioned by Wellcome, of more than 6,000 adults in the UK, the USA, Germany and France.

Who this is for

  • policy makers
  • funders
  • global health advocates

Key findings 

  • The public in all four countries support the idea that coronavirus treatments and vaccines should first be provided for those who need them most in the world, not for those who can afford to buy them.
  • Between half and two-thirds of the public in each country support the idea that if a coronavirus treatment or vaccine is developed in their own country it should be made available around the world as quickly as possible, even if that means some people in their own country don't get it first.
  • An overwhelming majority of the public in all four countries believe that national governments should work together to ensure that coronavirus treatments and vaccines can be manufactured in as many countries as possible and distributed globally to everyone who needs them. 
  • More than two-thirds of the public in each country think that national governments shouldn't use coronavirus treatments and vaccines to gain an upper-hand in trade or diplomatic negotiations. 
"For as long as COVID-19 is present somewhere, it is a threat everywhere. Global collaboration is paramount. Governments, industry and philanthropy must pool resources to pay for the risk, the research, manufacturing and distribution, but the treatments and vaccines should be available to everyone, regardless of where they have been developed or who has funded them."
Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome

Charts 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 6,485 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13-21 May 2020. The surveys were carried out online. The figures for each survey have been weighted and are representative of all [country] adults (aged 18+).

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