RAZINA MUNSHI: SA’s Covid vaccine appeal finds global support — but only from the usual suspects
Unfortunately, countries that are slower to access the vaccine, even through no fault of their own, will be the last to really move on from the pandemic
Human Rights Watch (HRW) last week became the latest global organisation to back a call by SA and India for universal access to a Covid-19 vaccine and the waiver of some global intellectual property rules.
The appeal, heard at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) last month (https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=q:/IP/C/W669.pdf&Open=True), is made with the understanding that unless there are fundamental changes to the rules governing the manufacture, distribution and pricing of global vaccines, an ugly scramble is guaranteed. Countries have already been pitted against each other to secure Covid-19 tests and personal protective equipment...
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