Our task is to make 2022 the year we end global vaccine inequality – and we have our first chance this Thursday when MPs will debate equitable access

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Hi John,
In 2022 we must step up our work to end global vaccine inequality – and we have our first chance this Thursday when MPs will debate equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines in parliament. Will you join me in asking your MP to take part?
Urge your MP to attend Thursday's debate ([link removed])
In 2021 rich countries embarked on unprecedented mass vaccination programmes, including booster programmes, while the lowest-income nations managed to protect only 4.2% of their populations. Thanks to gross vaccine inequality, a year has passed and yet 3 out of 4 health workers in Africa remain unvaccinated.

Lack of protective equipment, testing and treatments continues to plague health systems globally, while pharma companies continue to cater first to rich countries, some of which are now giving out fourth doses. Yet the UK remains a crucial blocker to the proposal to suspend patents for the course of the pandemic at the WTO (the TRIPS waiver), which could ensure additional capacity to produce vaccines and treatments around the world.

These are just some of the issues we are encouraging MPs to raise with the government during the parliamentary debate on equitable access to vaccines this Thursday 13 January. Will you help us make sure your MP attends?
Email your MP now ([link removed])
Intellectual property rules remain a barrier for global access to vaccines and treatments – but countries around the world are fighting back. Following promising trial results for the oral antiviral pill developed by Pfizer, civil society organisations in Chile are pressing their government to back compulsory licensing so that generic manufacturing of the drug can proceed. A similar request was issued some weeks back to the Dominican government.

Meanwhile some vaccine research teams are showing the world that things can be done differently. A vaccine developed by the Texas Children’s Hospital team will remain patent-free and the team is already working on tech transfer with several global south countries.

Vaccine equity matters both globally and here in the UK. Vaccine monopolies limit access to life-saving treatments for the global south, while ensuring that a handful of CEOs and investors amass record profits. They also mean companies like Pfizer are charging the NHS many times over the manufacturing cost. Vaccinating the world is not only the right thing to do but also the prudent thing to do to limit the opportunities the virus has to mutate and cause further disruption to our lives.

Thanks to the efforts of our supporters in Scotland, the Scottish government now fully supports the TRIPS waiver. It’s time for the UK government to get out of the way and allow countries and manufacturers to produce the vaccine, while also putting pressure on pharmaceutical companies to share their tech and know-how.

We know the UK government’s approach is not working. Make sure your MP knows it too!
Email your MP now ([link removed])
Best wishes,

Alena Ivanova
Pharmaceuticals campaigner at Global Justice Now
** Help ensure Covid-19 vaccines are available to everyone, everywhere
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It’s vitally important that Covid-19 vaccine patents are suspended during the pandemic, and for big pharma to share their know-how globally, as the best way of ensuring there are enough vaccines for everyone everywhere.

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