This paper analyzes the socioeconomic effects of different COVID-19 vaccine distribution scenarios. An equitable global distribution, prioritizing high-risk groups, would increase global economic benefits by 11.7% ($950 billion annually) compared to prioritizing vaccine-producing countries. Prioritizing the elderly and frontline workers in lower-income countries also proves economically beneficial. The study highlights the positive externalities of vaccination and advocates for international collaboration to improve vaccine equity and accessibility.

Daoping Wang, Ottar N. Bjørnstad, Tianyang Lei, Yida Sun, Jingwen Huo, Qi Hao, Zhao Zeng, Shupeng Zhu, Stéphane Hallegatte, Ruiyun Li, Dabo Guan, Nils C. Stenseth