India is a high-risk setting for an epidemic. But the current situation was not inevitable, argues Vageesh Jain. Complacency gave the coronavirus an opportunity to spread. Proportionally more cases have progressed into deaths this time around because the health system was overwhelmed. Supplies of oxygen, ventilators, health workers and beds are critically low in hotspots like Delhi. But the fact that so many require medical care in the first place, is a symptom of longstanding structural deficiencies in the Indian health system. For future epidemics, bolstering hospital capacity will be necessary but not sufficient. Death must be averted not just by treating disease, but by preventing it altogether.

Countries around the world are struggling to deal with record numbers of new COVID-19 infections. This is particularly true in developing nations. Yet action to level the playing field when it comes to access to vaccines has still not been taken. Andrew Pollard sets out why rich countries have a moral duty to share their COVID-19 shots while Rob Reddick explains what actions could be taken.