COVID-19: Experts Call on UK to Support Coronavirus Vaccine Intellectual Property Waiver | UK News

More than 400 academics, politicians, charities, religious leaders and others have called on the prime minister to waive vaccine patents.

The move comes just a few days after the The United States has announced its support for the proposed waiver, a decision described as “monumental” by the Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

In an open letter organized by Global Justice Now, StopAIDS and Just Treatment, the group called on Boris Johnson to “stand on the right side of history”.

The letter urged the UK to follow the US lead, adding: “The action is deeply urgent. New waves of COVID-19 multiply across the world as epidemiologists warn of further mutations risk leaving current vaccines ineffective.

“Coupled with the sharing of vaccine technology and know-how through the COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP), this exemption would allow more producers to manufacture more vaccines and help to save countless lives and livelihoods. a history of unequal access to deal with diseases such as HIV / AIDS.

“We urge you now to take a leadership role in ensuring an end to this global crisis. Defending intellectual property at all costs will not only lead to even more unnecessary loss of life, but constitutes an act of collective self-harm without precedent.

“Please stand on the right side of the story and make sure vaccines are available to everyone, everywhere – a ‘popular vaccine’ – by supporting the World Trade Organization’s proposed waiver and pool of access to COVID-19 technology. “

Among the signatories of the letter are:

• Independent SAGE members Christina Pagel and Stephen Reicher
• Former Conservative ministers, Baroness Verma and MP for Dr Daniel Poulter
• Liberal Democrats, including Foreign Affairs and Health Spokesperson Layla Moran
• Green MP Caroline Lucas
• Former Labor leader Jeremy …