The GAVI vaccine alliance has welcomed US President Joe Biden's support for waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines and also urged Washington to help manufacturers transfer know-how to boost global production.
US President Joe Biden bowed to international pressure and the position of Democratic Party lawmakers. Photo: 2021 Getty Images
The Geneva-based group, which co-leads the COVAX dose-sharing programme with the World Health Organization (WHO), faces major supply constraints after India suspended vaccine exports due to its major COVID-19 epidemic.
"We recognise also the significance of the (Biden) administration's commitment to work towards increasing raw material production, which will have an immediate impact on alleviating current global supply constraints," it told Reuters in a statement.
"GAVI urges now that in the interests of global equitable access, that the US supports manufacturers to transfer not only IP but also know-how in a bid to urgently boost global production."
The AstraZeneca vaccine, made by the Serum Institute of India, has been the mainstay of COVAX so far. The facility has provided 53 million COVID-19 vaccines to 121 countries and jurisdictions. It aims to have two billion doses available by the end of 2021, half of which will go to 92 lower-income countries.
GAVI also urged the international community to share doses with COVAX immediately to help those countries that have been worst hit by current global supply constraints and urgently need to protect their most at-risk populations," the statement said.
Biden bowed to mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers and more than 100 other countries who had demanded waiving intellectual property rights to help the most vulnerable.
South African Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel also welcomed the move.
"This can help to save lives! We need all hands on deck to fight virus. We look forward to the EU joining the growing global consensus," he said.
Biden's move however angered pharmaceutical companies. The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manifacturers and Associations said: "Waiving patents of COVID-19 vaccines will not increase production nor provide practical solutions needed to battle this global health crisis. On the contrary, it is likely to lead to disruption."
"The only way to ensure quick scaling up of and equitable vaccine access to all those in need remains pragmatic and constructive dialogue with the private sector."