Posted on 21 March 2022
Reactions have been mixed about a report that a compromise has been reached on a waiver for vaccine intellectual property rights.
Oxfam’s Head of Inequality Policy and co-chair of the People’s Vaccine Alliance, Max Lawson said: “After almost 18 months of stalling and millions of deaths, the EU has climbed down and finally admitted that intellectual property rules and pharmaceutical monopolies are a barrier to vaccinating the world. This is a tribute to millions of campaigners across the world who have demanded a Peoples Vaccine, but this leaked proposal is not the comprehensive TRIPS waiver demanded by over 100 governments. Unless it is significantly improved it will not do enough to bring an end to vaccine apartheid and ensure access for all. Read the full statement
Global Citizen's Canada Director, Jonah Kanter said: While this compromise has reportedly been agreed to by the US, EU, India, and South Africa, to take effect it would have to be approved by all EU member countries, including Germany, which strongly opposes a waiver, as well as the wider WTO membership, including other opponents such as the UK. It’s therefore possible that this agreement will be either watered down further or never actioned at all. At the same time, it’s an opportunity for other countries in the WTO to demand a broader and more effective waiver. Read the full story