Thread by @Left_EU

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👂🏼Commission President @vonderleyen meets with Left MEPs to discuss vaccine fiasco and pandemic response.

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#COVID19 #right2cure #NoProfitOnPandemic

Watch Facebook Live with our Co-Presidents @ManonAubryFr & @schirdewan.

Hear their immediate reactions to the meeting with Commission President @vonderleyen.

Link:
facebook.com/theleft/posts/…

In welcoming @vonderleyen to our meeting, @schirdewan says the Commission's #vaccine strategy needs proper scrutiny:

"We've long been calling for transparency,not opacity, when it comes to #BigPharma."

"We need details on the liability regime & 'reasonable best efforts' clause"

Commission President @vonderleyen starts by giving an overview of the EU's approach to #COVID19 vaccines supply before the first round of questions by our MEPs.

#right2cure #NoProfitOnPandemic

MEP @Konecna_K asks @vonderleyen about the EU's position on the vaccine as a public good:

"How will the EU respond to India and South Africa's initiative to wave Intellectual Property Rights for Covid-19 vaccines?"

For @BotengaM, boosting capacity is very important but "the amount of extra funding is going to be critical".

"By opening up patent rights, does @vonderleyen not think this would boost #vaccine production?"

"What other steps is Commission proposing to boost vaccine production?"

MEP @joao_ferreira33 asks @vonderleyen about future supply contracts:

"There are about a dozen vaccines approved around the world. Will the Commission consider diversifying the purchase of vaccines? Would the EU make agreements countries like Russia or China for greater supply?"

Global access to vaccine can only be resolved by opening up the #patent rights, says @MalinBjork_EU

"Equality to vaccine access and speeding up the #vaccine production are vital."

"Taxpayers have paid for this - the EU Commission must be able to call the shots with #BigPharma"

"Why is the Commission absolving Big Pharma from liability? What risks are those exactly? Wasn't it enough that citizens paid for the vaccine, now they have to assume the liabilities too?" @mmatias_ to Commission President @vonderleyen on #NoProfitOnPandemic

"What do you think of the request made by the WHO Director-General on the temporary elimination of patents? Please give me one reason not to do so," @sirarego asks @vonderleyen #right2cure

"What is your plan for the supply of vaccines to the world's poorest? Would you want pharmaceutical companies to profit from them too? Especially when European taxpayers paid for the development of the vaccines," @PetrosKokkalis to @vonderleyen on Covax Facility.

"Do your job!", @MiguelUrban tells @vonderleyen.

"It's a scandal that MEPs are having to pressure #BigPharma to be transparent on your behalf!"

"You signed the contracts!

"#Vaccines are a public right - centralise their productions now."

"They are a global public good."

.@vonderleyen said the Commission would pay #BigPharma to boost production, @OezlemADemirel
wonders if the EU taxpayers "will foot the bill for this?"

"What conditions are attached to the funds for the companies? They said they would voluntarily forego profits - still the case?"

On the debacle over triggering of #Article16, @lukeming tells @vonderleyen that "it was a massive mistake - and we demand accountability".

He wanted to know if the Commission president takes responsibility for the mess, "or was it @McGuinnessEU?"

After a rapid-fire round of questions by our MEPs, President @vonderleyen attempts to respond to the concerns raised.

#right2cure #NoProfitOnPandemic

For @martina_michels, building trust in the vaccine is vital - but @vonderleyen ignored her question.

On the issue of 'vaccine passports', Michels has concerns regarding individual rights & freedom - and the "double standards' that this could entail.

There have been reports of irregularities in the vaccination process with people pulling strings to get vaccinated first, says @pernandobarrena.

"Has the Commission considered guidelines for all member states to ensure those who need the most are prioritised for vaccination?"

In closing, @schirdewan urges @vonderleyen to "have more regular" contacts and exchanges with MEPs on the EU's vaccine strategy:

"For @Left_EU & @Europarl_EN, the entire process thus far has lacked transparency - making it difficult for us to work together with @EU_Commission."

"President @vonderleyen, could you please explain to me the paradox of how abundant public money of European taxpayers produces exclusively, private rights for Big Pharma companies?"

#NoProfitOnPandemic

"Doctors Without Borders along with more than 100 civil society groups are calling on the Commission to support a temporary waiver of Intellectual Property Rights for Covid-19 vaccines under the TRIPS agreement. You have refused to do this, Ms @vonderleyen." #right2cure

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