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A lot of us are waiting for a safe & effective vaccine for #COVID. We know it won't be a silver bullet, but it does seem like it will be a key tool to manage the crisis.
But have you thought about how long it will take to make all the doses we need for everyone in the world?
But have you thought about how long it will take to make all the doses we need for everyone in the world?
No? To be honest, I hadn't either. Until I started to talk to colleagues who were worrying about it.
A lot.
Here's a
with what I learned about the problem, and what we might be able to do to change course
A lot.
Here's a
with what I learned about the problem, and what we might be able to do to change course
The truth is demand for vaccines will far outstrip supply.
One person described the challenge like this
"“It’s like we’re in the middle of a war and everyone needs a Kevlar vest.” https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/10/who-is-first-in-line-coronavirus-vaccine/#close
One person described the challenge like this
"“It’s like we’re in the middle of a war and everyone needs a Kevlar vest.” https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/10/who-is-first-in-line-coronavirus-vaccine/#close
An ugly scramble is underway as some try to buy as many COVID vaccines as they can, even before they know which ones work. The US has bought 8x the doses as its population. I guess it wants keep all its options open.
But what about everyone else? https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/19/the-world-is-losing-the-vaccine-race/
But what about everyone else? https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/19/the-world-is-losing-the-vaccine-race/
Can't imagine a scenario where people don't get left out
But it doesn't have to be this way.
India & South Africa (two countries that don't have the money to buy up millions of doses in advance) have a bold idea to change course. Read about it here
https://msfaccess.org/5-reasons-new-proposal-india-and-south-africa-could-be-gamechanger-covid-19-response
But it doesn't have to be this way.
India & South Africa (two countries that don't have the money to buy up millions of doses in advance) have a bold idea to change course. Read about it here
https://msfaccess.org/5-reasons-new-proposal-india-and-south-africa-could-be-gamechanger-covid-19-response
This proposal "could go a long way in solving our immediate problems: a waiver from the WTO would remove intellectual property obstacles and allow more countries to locally manufacture diagnostics and treatments, thereby reducing prices as well." https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/oct/15/peoples-vaccine-coronavirus-covid-wto
There's real need for others to get involved in manufacturing.
@Oxfam have confirmed that if we stick with the options we have now, 51% of doses are already promised to a handful of wealthy countries with only 13% of the world's population. https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/small-group-rich-nations-have-bought-more-half-future-supply-leading-covid-19
@Oxfam have confirmed that if we stick with the options we have now, 51% of doses are already promised to a handful of wealthy countries with only 13% of the world's population. https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/small-group-rich-nations-have-bought-more-half-future-supply-leading-covid-19
My colleague @BrunoStagno writes for @thehill "we are on a runaway train barreling toward a future when the majority of the globe is forced to wait for vaccines as the rich serve themselves first. It’s time to pull the emergency brake." https://thehill.com/opinion/international/521029-protecting-the-profits-of-a-few-could-prevent-vaccine-access-for-all#.X4dyGFzX7XU.twitter
The #TRIPSCouncil meeting today and tomorrow has a chance to approve a waiver of the rules for the duration of the pandemic that will make it easier to cooperate and share production responsibilities. This proposal from @MEAIndia and @DIRCO_ZA makes sense.
Hundreds of civil society organizations have chimed in to voice their support. So has @UNAIDS chief @Winnie_Byanyima who said it "reflects the urgency and global health emergency that COVID-19 represents" https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2020/october/20201015_waiver-obligations-trips-agreement-covid19
FYI #TRIPS delegates in Geneva & others who follow trade policy @JulianWTO_UN @USTradeRep @EUmissionWTO @VDombrovskis, I think it's worth reading @MSF_access brief on how the waiver could work to make medicine and care more accessible and affordable
https://msfaccess.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/COVID_Brief_ProposalWTOWaiver_ENG_2020.pdf
https://msfaccess.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/COVID_Brief_ProposalWTOWaiver_ENG_2020.pdf
PS - @PhRMA we see you saying that patents protect innovation.
But seems like some feel otherwise. @moderna_tx vowed not to enforce its patents saying they felt a "special obligation" to use their resources to help bring the pandemic to an end" https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2020/10/08/moderna-covid19-coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-who-patents/
But seems like some feel otherwise. @moderna_tx vowed not to enforce its patents saying they felt a "special obligation" to use their resources to help bring the pandemic to an end" https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2020/10/08/moderna-covid19-coronavirus-pandemic-vaccine-who-patents/
