The role of stakeholders in the development of ChAdOx1-S Covid-19 vaccine: reflection for future pandemics

Abstract

COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has become a global pandemic and has been classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Considering vaccines as an effective action to shorten viral transmission and to reduce mortality, stakeholders have worked together to develop vaccines, which played a vital role in containing this pandemic worldwide. In the development of the adenovirus-based ChAdOx1-S vaccine, it is interesting to note the speed at which it was created, with safety, breaking paradigms, relying on connections and influences at various levels, showing that a vaccine can be produced in a very short period of time if there are specific stakeholder dynamics. Herein, we combined the concepts and methods of Stakeholder Theory and Social Network Analysis within this complex scenario, indeed, the positive results delivered to society reinforce the principles of the Stakeholder Theory. Moreover, Social Network Analysis revealed that the ChAdOx1-S vaccine ecosystem had 30 nodes of interconnection. Overall, the data summarized presently discussed indicate the need for preparedness within the vaccine development ecosystem, important for future research into the management and development process of vaccines designed to cope with future global or regional health emergencies. Key points related to the complexity of a health emergency, considering its risks to public health and society. A coordinated, interdisciplinary, and systemic response between the different actors is emphasized. This study focuses on analyzing the actors involved in the activities related to the development of the ChAdOx1-S vaccine against COVID-19, taking into account the paradigms of time and the pandemic emergency. Considering the network analysis, for this vaccine, new institutional arrangements have emerged, significantly expanding the limits of knowledge, since the initial research was based on more than a decade of knowledge production.