In its 2021 Supplement to the ELI Principles for the COVID-19 Crisis, adopted in April 2021, ELI emphasised that the distribution of vaccines should be based on the foundational value of solidarity between EU Member States, which implies setting up coordinated mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution between EU Member States (Principle 17).

As more vaccines are approved and produced, the need for them to be administered in a manner that complies with the principles of fairness and equality in design and in impact as outlined in Principle 17(1) is emphasised. This means in particular that the priority, during the gradual build-up of vaccination capacities should be assessed taking into account, inter alia, vulnerability with regard to the acute effects of COVID-19 and its variants as well as other factors enumerated in the Principle.

ELI’s Principle 17 also stresses the need to ensure wide vaccination across the Globe to hasten the general reduction of the pandemic by sharing vaccines. To that end, the announcement of the European Union's efforts to further support vaccinations in six Eastern Partnership countries by increasing funds in its assistance package from €40 million to €75 million (with a view to deploying safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and speeding up the vaccination campaigns) is a welcome one.

To access the Consolidated Version of the 2020 ELI Principles for the COVID-19 Crisis and the 2021 Supplement, featuring Principles 16 and 17, please click here.