I got my coronavirus vaccine shot last week.

The vaccine is a scientific miracle, really.

But by and large it’s a miracle that only benefits people in rich countries.

The vaccination rate in the United States is 7 times higher than in Asia.

And about 60 times higher than in Africa. Sixty times!

If we are going to end the global pandemic, we have to dramatically increase the amount of vaccine we are producing.

This is the right thing to do as a humanitarian measure.

A no-brainer, really.

Are we going to permit the global pandemic to rage when we could end it just by trying?

And there are plenty of self-interested reasons to act to solve the global problem.

The global economy won’t get back on track until the global pandemic ends. As a result, failing to end the global pandemic will cost the United States far more in lost trade than the cost of scaling up vaccine supply.

Even more pointedly, until the global pandemic ends, the risk remains high that new variants will emerge — and make their way to the United States.

That’s why Dr. Anthony Fauci and many others say that the pandemic won’t truly end anywhere until it ends everywhere.

Tell President Biden:

You have correctly said the pandemic demands a wartime-like mobilization. Use all of your powers to increase vaccine manufacturing and make sure everyone gets a shot as soon as possible. If the U.S. ensures that vaccine makers share their know-how and establishes or repurposes vaccine manufacturing facilities around the world, we can end the global pandemic within a year.

Add your name.

This is one of the great humanitarian challenges of our time.

Unlike so many global injustices, this one is easily solved — if we just find the political will.

Public Citizen is making this work a top priority and we’re going to have lots more to say in the coming weeks and months.

I’m thrilled that I got my shot.

I hope you’re already vaccinated or have signed up to get vaccinated.

That opportunity is now available to every adult in the United States.

We have to make sure the same applies to every person on the planet, as soon as possible.

Thanks for taking action.

For progress,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

P.S. For half a century, Public Citizen has been advancing policies that put the needs of everyday Americans before the greed of billionaires and Big Business. That legacy of progress and that ongoing work could not matter more right now, as our nation transitions to a Joe Biden presidency that will be as progressive as we — you and Public Citizen, together — make it. We’re also busy undoing all the damage Trump did. And, like so many nonprofits and small businesses, we continue to experience financial strain related to the coronavirus pandemic. If you can, please make an emergency donation today to support the critical work we’re doing together or even join our popular Monthly Giving program. Thank you.
 
 
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