BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

Breaking

Edit Story

Democratic Senators Demand Vaccine Makers Share Distribution Plans For Poor Countries

Following
This article is more than 2 years old.
Updated Apr 28, 2021, 03:55pm EDT

Topline

A group of five Democratic senators sent letters to the CEOs of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson Wednesday asking the drug companies to give lawmakers specifics about global distribution plans, saying vaccinations in places like India are "urgently needed to reduce human suffering," as progressives push for allowing generic shots to end the pandemic outside the United States.

Key Facts

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) signed onto the letters.

The senators mainly request the companies provide information about whether they're planning to share information on vaccine formulas so other companies can develop generic shots.

They're also asking the companies about whether they plan to apply for emergency use licenses in India, which is relying on a limited supply of AstraZeneca vaccines amid a spike in cases to a level far above what any other country has dealt with throughout the pandemic.

Progressives are lobbying President Joe Biden to grant intellectual property waivers that could allow for other drug companies to make vaccines, a move that more than 100 countries, including India, support.

The companies have been given a May 11 deadline to provide the requested information.

Crucial Quote

"Though Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and other companies have developed safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the uncontrolled spread of coronavirus poses significant risks to global vaccination efforts," the senators said.

Chief Critics

There are many who argue waiving intellectual property rights would do little to change the vaccine shortage in the developing world. Among those are Bill Gates, who said it's not intellectual property holding back more vaccines—it's the rigorous approval and testing process. "It's not like there's some idle vaccine factory with regulatory approval that makes magically safe vaccines," Gates said in an interview with Sky News.

Surprising Fact

Moderna voluntarily waived its intellectual property claims to its vaccine through the duration of the pandemic, but thus far no other companies have opted to manufacture its vaccine.

Key Background

Poorer countries are lagging far behind wealthy nations in vaccinations. The U.S. is nearing the mark of having 30% of its population fully vaccinated, while most western European countries now have at least 15% of their populations fully vaccinated, according to a Bloomberg tracker. But on the African continent, all but a handful of countries remain under 1% fully vaccinated against Covid-19. For months, poorer countries have been pushing for the expansion of vaccine waivers, with more than 100 asking the World Trade Organization to waive patent protections. The countries argue that opening up vaccine development to more drug companies would allow for more rapid distribution while major drug manufacturers remain focused on countries like the U.S. for now. The effort that has been endorsed by World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Pope Francis. The effects of the lag could go far beyond health impact, too. Officials like Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen are among those warning of dire, long-term economic consequences for the developing world if wealthy countries don't provide economic help.

What To Watch For

The Biden administration has committed $4 billion to the World Health Organization's COVAX global vaccine campaign.

Further Reading

Biden Administration Weighs Temporarily Suspending IP Protections For Covid-19 Vaccine Developers [Update] (Forbes)

Biden Facing Calls To Waive Covid Patents, Allowing Other Companies To Make Pfizer’s And Moderna’s Vaccines (Forbes)

Biden To Offer $4 Billion To Fund Coronavirus Vaccinations In Developing Countries (Forbes)

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus

Follow me on TwitterSend me a secure tip