Thread by @astroehlein

EU leaders are trying to fool us with these stunts, but…

💥 The world needs OVER 11 BILLION doses.

🙄 "100 million doses" isn't even 1% of that.

Marginal philanthropy will not solve global scarcity.

The EU needs to stop blocking wider production of vaccines globally.

What the EU is doing is like saying, "Yes, we bought all the bread at the bakery, and we won’t let any other bakeries open, but here’s a little loaf for the poor to show everyone how generous we are…"

"Over 11 billion doses" is a conservative estimate, by the way.

Some say 14 billion: businessinsider.com/bill-gates-14-…

Others, 20 billion: investigate-europe.eu/en/2020/vaccin…

And pharma companies' talk about 3rd shots for those already vaccinated, thus increasing demand: cnbc.com/2021/04/15/pfi…

Pharma companies have billions to spend. If they had wanted to maximise production of vaccines - that is, if they saw it in their interest - then surely they would have done so by now.

But, like any company, they don't seek to maximise production, but maximise profits.

EU leaders are prioritising pharma companies' drive for maximum profits over the global need for maximum production by blocking wider manufacturing through their obstruction of the #TRIPSwaiver at the WTO.

The artificially maintained scarcity of vaccines is great for the pharma companies, but it's terrible for humanity, because it means a longer pandemic, so:

⬛️ more death;

⬛️ more economic disruption;

⬛️ more chances for vaccine-resistant variants to emerge.

You do not fill a need of 11 billion - or 14 billion or 20 billion - by throwing 100 million at it while preventing wider production & maintaining scarcity.

Tiny donations are a PR stunt, people. Don't let the EU fool you with them.

Just do the maths.

If the EU really wants to help end the global pandemic sooner rather than later, it should stop blocking wider vaccine production globally and - like most countries around the world do now - support COVID patent waivers.

bit.ly/3rjWkdb

The EU's talking points to defend their opposition to the #TRIPSwaiver are full of lies & other attempts to distract attention.

@JimClarken of @Oxfam shreds them to pieces in this excellent article: irishexaminer.com/opinion/commen…

I would also strongly recommend yesterday's article from @Nature...

https://twitter.com/astroehlein/status/1397242833938100232

I forgot to add the link to the @POLITICOEurope piece I quoted in the very first tweet in this thread... 🤦‍♂️

Here it is: politico.eu/newsletter/bru…