Oxfam India welcomes the US decision to back IP waiver for COVID-19 vaccines: NZ also supports the move
The Biden Administration has caused a domino effect following the news that the USA will support the People’s Vaccine. World leaders are taking to Twitter to announce their support of the waiver including the New Zealand Government.
This news is especially critical for India where infections are soaring to over 400,000 new cases per day. Vaccines are in short supply, and the country has significant untapped capacity to produce for India’s needs and for the rest of the world. In a statement release by Oxfam India, CEO Amitabh Behar said:
“We awake today in India with some fresh new hope that there is a genuine solution possible ahead of us – that we have been heard – and that our country as well others suffering the horrific effects of rampant Covid-19 infections and death will not be forgotten and left behind.
"I am in a city where every fifteen minutes a family is losing a loved one. I am in a country which is the world’s pharmacy hub and yet people here are dying, gasping for breath. There is no-one I think in India who doesn’t know of friends or family or colleagues who have not had Covid. We are a country that is united in fearful expectation but now given a life-line in the possibility of more vaccines, which India requires quickly and in large numbers. The US decision to back the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines has taken us one step closer to having a true peoples’ vaccine – behind which India can throw its own manufacturing weight."
Oxfam New Zealand has been a part of the choir lobbying for the New Zealand Government to back the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines and also welcomes the USA’s support. Jo Spratt Communications and Advocacy Director of Oxfam New Zealand said:
"This is a huge first step to make sure that everyone, everywhere can get a vaccine, and put an end to this pandemic that is causing so much suffering. But the fight is not over. Leaders in Europe and other rich nations must follow the Biden Administration’s lead, but also ensure the waiver covers all coronavirus technologies – things like PPE, ventilators and tests. We will be watching as EU and India leaders meet on Saturday 8th May, and hope Europe will signal its clear support for the TRIPS waiver.”
Earlier on Thursday, following the Biden administration’s announcement, NZ also shed its traditional reticence on IP waiver on Covid vaccines and Trade Minister Damien O’Connor came out in full support.
“We welcome the US announcement and look forward to taking this forward with urgency,” O’Connor said in a statement.
“No-one is safe from the virus until everyone is safe from it, so it is in all our interest to remove any blocks to access and distribution of the vaccine.
“New Zealand supports the waiver of IP protections on vaccines as an important part of our collective efforts to address the human catastrophe of the pandemic,” O’Connor said in a statement.
India & South Africa have moved proposal in WTO since October 2020
India & South Africa have already proposed to World Trade Organisation (October 2020) about democratisation of Covid-19 vaccine and drug production and increase access to poor and developing countries.
For months, there was a stalemate as the proposal was oppose from the developed countries.
This can potentially change in future, however some experts still arguing that it would be months before the actual proposal is passed by 164 nations member group World Trade Organisation where even one single country could halt the progress of the proposal.
Currently, there are more than 60 countries in support of India and South Africa’s proposal, however since Biden Administration’s support there has been a surge from several developed and rich countries throwing their weight behind the move to democratise Covid19 vaccine production and improve accessibility.
India
The Biden Administration has caused a domino effect following the news that the USA will support the People’s Vaccine. World leaders are taking to Twitter to announce their support of the waiver including the New Zealand Government.
This news is especially critical for India where infections are...
The Biden Administration has caused a domino effect following the news that the USA will support the People’s Vaccine. World leaders are taking to Twitter to announce their support of the waiver including the New Zealand Government.
This news is especially critical for India where infections are soaring to over 400,000 new cases per day. Vaccines are in short supply, and the country has significant untapped capacity to produce for India’s needs and for the rest of the world. In a statement release by Oxfam India, CEO Amitabh Behar said:
“We awake today in India with some fresh new hope that there is a genuine solution possible ahead of us – that we have been heard – and that our country as well others suffering the horrific effects of rampant Covid-19 infections and death will not be forgotten and left behind.
"I am in a city where every fifteen minutes a family is losing a loved one. I am in a country which is the world’s pharmacy hub and yet people here are dying, gasping for breath. There is no-one I think in India who doesn’t know of friends or family or colleagues who have not had Covid. We are a country that is united in fearful expectation but now given a life-line in the possibility of more vaccines, which India requires quickly and in large numbers. The US decision to back the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines has taken us one step closer to having a true peoples’ vaccine – behind which India can throw its own manufacturing weight."
Oxfam New Zealand has been a part of the choir lobbying for the New Zealand Government to back the waiver of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines and also welcomes the USA’s support. Jo Spratt Communications and Advocacy Director of Oxfam New Zealand said:
"This is a huge first step to make sure that everyone, everywhere can get a vaccine, and put an end to this pandemic that is causing so much suffering. But the fight is not over. Leaders in Europe and other rich nations must follow the Biden Administration’s lead, but also ensure the waiver covers all coronavirus technologies – things like PPE, ventilators and tests. We will be watching as EU and India leaders meet on Saturday 8th May, and hope Europe will signal its clear support for the TRIPS waiver.”
Earlier on Thursday, following the Biden administration’s announcement, NZ also shed its traditional reticence on IP waiver on Covid vaccines and Trade Minister Damien O’Connor came out in full support.
“We welcome the US announcement and look forward to taking this forward with urgency,” O’Connor said in a statement.
“No-one is safe from the virus until everyone is safe from it, so it is in all our interest to remove any blocks to access and distribution of the vaccine.
“New Zealand supports the waiver of IP protections on vaccines as an important part of our collective efforts to address the human catastrophe of the pandemic,” O’Connor said in a statement.
India & South Africa have moved proposal in WTO since October 2020
India & South Africa have already proposed to World Trade Organisation (October 2020) about democratisation of Covid-19 vaccine and drug production and increase access to poor and developing countries.
For months, there was a stalemate as the proposal was oppose from the developed countries.
This can potentially change in future, however some experts still arguing that it would be months before the actual proposal is passed by 164 nations member group World Trade Organisation where even one single country could halt the progress of the proposal.
Currently, there are more than 60 countries in support of India and South Africa’s proposal, however since Biden Administration’s support there has been a surge from several developed and rich countries throwing their weight behind the move to democratise Covid19 vaccine production and improve accessibility.
India
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