Thread by @Left_EU

In October 2020, India and South Africa submitted a proposal to the @wto for easing of rules that impose intellectual property barriers that restrict access to COVID-19 vaccines & treatments i.e. #TRIPSWaiver

The EU is blocking the proposal.

A thread ⬇️

left.eu/why-is-the-eur…

During the HIV/AIDS epidemic, high-income countries had access to lifesaving drugs while millions in developing countries were left to die.

This scenario is repeating itself due to power and greed. We need #TRIPSWaiver to end the pandemic.

left.eu/4-reasons-why-…

About 75% of the 4.12 billion vaccines administered worldwide have gone to high- and upper-middle-income countries.

Only 0.6% of doses have been administered in low-income countries.

Developed countries, including the EU, have been hoarding vaccines.

aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/5/…

Poorest countries rely on #COVAX to access vaccines. The mechanism aimed to provide 2 billion doses by the end of 2021 but it is lagging behind.

The EU has failed to donate all the vaccines it has promised to COVAX.

#InactionKills

msf.org/european-union…

Despite receiving public funding of over $8 billion, Pfizer, BioNTech & Moderna have refused calls to urgently transfer vaccine technology & know-how with capable producers in low- and middle-income countries via the @WHO.

The three corporations make $1,000 profit every second.

The @wto Ministerial Conference #MC12 to be held in Geneva from 30 November to 3 December is seen as a last-ditch attempt for governments to agree on #TRIPSWaiver.

In 2020, @vonderleyen promised that Covid-19 vaccines will be a "global public good". She now opposes it!

The EU and @EU_Commission have used every trick in the book to stall debate at the @wto on #TRIPSWaiver.

This includes diversions like 'the Walker process' to weaken and undermine demands from the Global South.

Goal: protect the profits of the EU's pharmaceutical industry.

The EU is at odds with the majority of the countries of the world, even the US, as well as global civil society, public figures and its own citizens.

Join the movement to pressure the EU! Support the @Right2Cure European Citizens' Initiative: noprofitonpandemic.eu

EU countries are returning to lockdowns despite having vaccinated a large proportion of their population.

A stark reminder that the pandemic is far from over.

The sooner the world is vaccinated, the sooner the pandemic will end. No one is safe until everyone is safe.

The @EU_Commission has ignored demands from the European Parliament to support #TRIPSWaiver.

At the next #EPlenary, we will again challenge @VDombrovskis and make our voices heard at #MC12 in Geneva.

The lifting of patents is the only acceptable outcome of the @wto meeting.

Starting now!

Join the debate on #VaccineEquality #TRIPSWaiver and #NoProfitOnPandemic with MEPs @BotengaM & @emmanuelmaurel

Zoom: theleft-eu.zoom.us/j/88466681653

"We need international cooperation to fight the pandemic. Covid-19 will always be a global threat for as long as it exists. Even from a rational point of view, vaccination is essential as the virus will continue to mutate." @emmanuelmaurel #VaccineEquality

"With the spread of #Covid_19 variants, universal access to vaccines is not only a question of international solidarity but a necessity to end the pandemic." @BotengaM #TRIPSWaiver

https://twitter.com/Left_EU/status/1462830707122880521

We call for #TRIPSWaiver:

- to scale up and diversify the production of Covid-19 vaccines & treatments for universal and equitable access;
- to give governments the autonomy to plan and decide on public health policy, not pharmaceutical corporations;

We call for #TRIPSWaiver:

- because COVAX has a huge shortfall and the mechanism alone has been unable to meet the growing demand for vaccines;
- to facilitate access to a broader range of health products to fight the pandemic like tests and PPE;

We call for #TRIPSWaiver:

- because pharmaceutical corporations received billions in public money for R&D that should become a global public good;
- since relying on 'goodwill' of Big Pharma alone such as voluntary licensing has never worked;

We call for #TRIPSWaiver:

- to save lives because inaction kills;
- to end the pandemic because no one is safe until everyone is safe.

We call on @EU_Commission, @VDombrovskis & @EUCouncil to heed the demand at #MC12 echoed by millions of Europeans and people around the world.

"The WTO risks losing its legitimacy should the Ministerial Conference in Geneva once again fails to meet the needs of the global population." @HelmutScholzMEP in #EPlenary on #MC12

"The idea that the EU, which trumpets itself as an advocate of fairness & social justice would position itself within the WTO to block the triggering of #TRIPSWaiver & prevent the production of generic vaccines, which can save lives is a monument of her hypocrisy." @ClareDalyMEP

"Meaningless declarations leave millions without effective vaccines and treatments. People all over Europe are calling for EU governments to put people's health before corporate profit." @MacManusChris in #EPlenary on @Right2Cure

Victory!

Once again, MEPs vote to support #TRIPSWaiver.

@VDombrovskis & @EUCouncil must respect the will of the Parliament and the demands of millions of Europeans.

“Saving lives, not the profits of Big Pharma, should be the priority." @HelmutScholzMEP

left.eu/parliament-pil…

The EP has approved - in its entirety - a resolution on @wto #MC12 that includes support for #TRIPSWaiver.

The EU remains isolated in its opposition, helping to extend the pandemic.

@VDombrovskis, there is no time to lose. Deliver on the demand for #VaccineEquality.

"The main reason why there isn't a higher death toll in Europe, China and the USA, is access to vaccines. The rest of the world lives in fear. The majority of world governments are asking the WTO for help through a #TRIPSWaiver." @HelmutScholzMEP #EPlenary

It is not rocket science, @vonderleyen @VDombrovskis.

The EU preventing rapid access to vaccines worldwide by opposing #TRIPSWaiver helps new variants emerge.

More travel curbs won't stop their spread. The vaccine will.

Put people before profits, now!

theguardian.com/world/2021/nov…

We stand with over 2.5 million nurses from 28 countries who are taking rich countries to court.

The EU continues to block #TRIPSWaiver to end the pandemic.

Nurses are fighting back!

Add your name to their @UNHumanRights complaint: covid19criminals.exposed