The present report, prepared pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 49/25, contains an examination of the human rights implications of and good practices and key challenges in affordable, timely, equitable and universal access to and distribution of quality, safe, efficacious and affordable coronavirus disease (COVID - 19) vaccines and the impact on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

Universal and equitable access to vaccines, medicines and treatments is essential to reversing the trajectory of any pandemic. Among the many lessons of the COVID - 19 pandemic is the need for vaccination strategies that are human rights - based and sustainable, the need for increased investment in health systems towards expanding universal health coverage, the need for bolstered international cooperation and innovative partnerships and the need for stronger legal frameworks grounded in human rights to ensure an effective global pandemic response in the future.