As the pandemic passed the one-year mark in the U.S., the death toll here topped a grim 500,000, with that number reaching almost 2.5 million worldwide. The loss of life and livelihood we have endured these past 12 months cannot be put into words. With vaccine production and distribution increasing by the day, there is yet hope that an end to this pandemic is months away - if we can create the political will, policies, and systems needed to vaccinate the world, a daunting challenge of historic proportions. One of the primary hurdles we face in doing so will be to value all human lives over profits. Too often in our society, that is sadly not the case.
Case in point is the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights or “TRIPS”. This agreement requires WTO signatory countries to provide monopoly protections for medicines, tests, and technology, essentially blocking countries and manufacturers from accessing formulas and knowledge needed to boost COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. These protections on the intellectual property of Big Pharma companies are limiting access for millions of people to life saving medicine- all while new COVID variants create an even more urgent race against the clock to get people vaccinated.
Over 100 nations have called for a temporary “TRIPS Waiver” on COVID-19 vaccines and related technology, a stance that the Trump administration opposed before leaving office and led a small number of countries to block at the WTO. Take action today to call on the Biden Administration to reverse this position and support a temporary “TRIPS Waiver.”
Recent studies have warned that in low and middle income countries, a majority of people will not have access to the vaccine until 2024, if at all, unless more is done to ensure equal access to vaccines and treatments. If we have learned anything from this crisis, it is that we are all connected as one global community and our safety depends on everyone being given access to vaccines, tests, and treatment.
Call on the Biden Administration to support a temporary “TRIPS Waiver” at the WTO today!
More information:
Statement on racism and discrimination in Israeli distribution of the vaccine