Thread by @DrChristou

Yesterday, I took part in an international online conference highlighting the challenges, solutions and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. #конференцияРАНХиГС

Thank you to @MINZDRAV_RF & @RANEPA for organizing

Here is the main message I shared based on @MSF’s experience; our concerns are actually very simple and can be summarized in one word: solidarity.

Controlling the COVID-19 #pandemic requires global action and solidarity. We can only succeed all together.

At MSF, we welcome the global political will to coordinate the response ensuring an equitable access to drugs, diagnostics and vaccines.

All countries should push for non-exclusive licensing and the right for manufacturers around the world to use ALL technologies, know-how, materials, regulatory data, and intellectual property related to every #COVID19vaccine candidate.

In addition to protecting their own populations, governments MUST unite and abide by a truly globalized, transparent response to the pandemic.

However, we’re concerned by some inward-oriented national strategies that undermine the global response.

As a result of these inward-oriented national strategies, a fair and equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for all will NOT be guaranteed. We can’t afford this.

Additionally, as companies and governments rush to get potential vaccines developed, we must also ensure that vaccine approval is based on clearly demonstrated safety and efficacy.

Another very important point: we need to protect our health staff.

We count on all countries to ensure that enough vaccines are made available to cover the @WHO-estimated global population of frontline healthcare workers.

We count on them to do this by committing to sharing a portion of the vaccines they obtain through advanced purchase agreements ─ starting from the very first vaccine shipment.

To end, let’s remember that while effective vaccines would suppress and control this pandemic in the long-term, right now medical personnel everywhere –including our teams– need reliable and more sufficient testing capacities and treatments.

In less than 12 months we’ve learned a lot, but there is still much more to be learnt. We have also changed our medical practices and will certainly have to do so again; the crisis is not over. 

And all #COVID19 response tools should be considered as common goods.