TY - JOUR T1 - Priority setting during the COVID-19 pandemic: going beyond vaccines JF - BMJ Global Health JO - BMJ Global Health DO - 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004686 VL - 6 IS - 1 SP - e004686 AU - Iestyn Williams AU - Beverley Essue AU - Elysee Nouvet AU - Lars Sandman AU - S Donya Razavi AU - Mariam Noorulhuda AU - Susan Goold AU - Marion Danis AU - Godfrey Biemba AU - Julia Abelson AU - Lydia Kapiriri Y1 - 2021/01/01 UR - http://gh.bmj.com/content/6/1/e004686.abstract N2 - Summary boxDevelopment of vaccines is a major breakthrough in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.Much attention has been paid to how to prioritise between patient groups for vaccination and how to ensure equity, especially in low-income countries, but there are other important decisions that need to be made.These decisions include: (a) choosing between the various vaccines that will become available, (b) continuing to invest in other aspects of the COVID-19 response and (c) balancing the COVID-19 response with the need to invest in other healthcare that has suffered during the pandemic.Although these decisions are inherently difficult, principles of good priority setting can be helpful; these principles include: evidence-based and transparent decision-making, participation of stakeholders and a focus on the implementation of decisions.Successful vaccination against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a decisive development in the international response to the pandemic. It also has substantial implications for how governments and international bodies deploy their resources, as major decisions will need to be made in a fast-moving and uncertain environment. Current trends in vaccine development have stimulated much commentary on how vaccines deemed to be the safest and most effective should be allocated, both at the global level (to ensure access for low-income countries)1 2 and within countries (to prioritise critical personnel and the most vulnerable population groups).3 We recognise the importance of mass vaccination as a public health measure, and the crucial need to promote equity and solidarity across countries.4 5 We also recognise that prioritisation is required within countries so that resources are directed to best protect life, reduce inequities and increase public confidence. However, based on analysis of the COVID-19 response so far, we would argue that at least three additional forms of prioritisation are required: between vaccines; between vaccines and other elements of the … ER -