Tell Big Pharma to Share Knowledge to Ramp Up Vaccine Production, Expand Access

From Amnesty International USA (http://www.amnestyusa.org):

Can you imagine waiting another three years to receive a COVID-19 vaccination?

According to many experts, that timeline will be a reality for billions of people around the world. As of last month, 120 countries, accounting for 2.5 billion people, had yet to administer a single vaccine.

Here’s what many people don’t realize: this slow pace of global distribution is entirely avoidable. Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and other Big Pharma companies could share their knowledge and technology, allowing other companies to radically ramp up vaccine production. But Big Pharma is choosing not to share.

For World Health Day — we’re asking you to join us to demand that Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson give everyone in the world a #FairShot. Sign now at https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/79918/petition/1 to help us reach critical mass against this injustice.

COVID-19 has touched nearly every country and community around the globe. We’ve witnessed its impact increase and magnify existing inequalities, and disproportionately affect people already facing discrimination and exclusion.

Right now, what Big Pharma decides to do with its knowledge and technology will impact how quickly we can end COVID-19 — and whether we can begin to address and end these deep, systemic inequalities.

One critical solution? The World Health Organization created a COVID-19 Technology Access Pool (C-TAP) for companies to share their know-how with manufacturers in other countries — but so far, no company has joined it. Companies need to start putting people before profits, and give everyone #AFairShot.

It’s unacceptable. Act Now: demand that Big Pharma share their knowledge and technology by joining C-TAP now.

Here’s the simple truth — No one is safe until EVERYONE is safe. Health officials are tracking virus variants in places where vaccine coverage is weak… and if billions of people need to wait years to be vaccinated, even the most well-resourced countries will inevitably be facing the same problems.

Companies may have profit motives, but they also care about their reputations. If we shine enough light on their lack of action, we can pressure them to do the right thing. Will you take powerful action in honor of World Health Day?

This is a global crisis. It has been ineffably difficult, and catastrophic for far too many. Universal and fair access to the vaccine is the only way to bring this pandemic under control.

It’s time to put people’s lives first.