While the pharmaceutical industry is working intensively towards finding a treatment for COVID-19, states are trying to assure access to it. The question is if the states behaviour can be better explained through the lens of the Realism, Liberalism or other IR theory?
Painful reality of this materialistic world " Money makes the mare go" is also proving good when it comes to grab the COVID-19 vaccine contracts.
Countries and states who can spend more money are already making sure that they can grab the COVID-19 vaccine first even as the vaccine is in phase 3 trials.
I agree, most of the world will be dependent on the "altruistic" activity of others. The bigger picture, is that all of the world needs to be involved to control this pandemic, or it will keep festering over and over. So in the end, "altruism" will be of a benefit to everyone, not just those being given the help free vaccination. July 25, 2020; Gary Ordog, MD.