RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Multivalue ethical framework for fair global allocation of a COVID-19 vaccine JF Journal of Medical Ethics JO J Med Ethics FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics SP 499 OP 501 DO 10.1136/medethics-2020-106516 VO 46 IS 8 A1 Yangzi Liu A1 Sanjana Salwi A1 Brian C Drolet YR 2020 UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/46/8/499.abstract AB The urgent drive for vaccine development in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic has prompted public and private organisations to invest heavily in research and development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Organisations globally have affirmed the commitment of fair global access, but the means by which a successful vaccine can be mass produced and equitably distributed remains notably unanswered. Barriers for low-income countries include the inability to afford vaccines as well as inadequate resources to vaccinate, barriers that are exacerbated during a pandemic. Fair distribution of a pandemic vaccine is unlikely without a solid ethical framework for allocation. This piece analyses four allocation paradigms: ability to develop or purchase; reciprocity; ability to implement; and distributive justice, and synthesises their ethical considerations to develop an allocation model to fit the COVID-19 pandemic.