The People’s Vaccine: What we’ve accomplished together so far. OXFAM.

 

Momentum building for a People’s Vaccine to end the COVID-19 pandemic We need a People's Vaccine: a patent-free, mass-produced vaccine that is distributed fairly and made available free of charge, to every individual, rich and poor alike, in every country. Sandra Stowe / Oxfam America   David, the People’s Vaccine Alliance is growing, thanks to you. More than 57,000 Oxfam supporters like you joined two million others from around the world in directly calling for President Biden to support a People’s Vaccine: a patent-free, mass-produced vaccine that is distributed fairly and made available free of charge, to every individual, rich and poor alike, in every country. And last month, he listened. On May 5th President Biden agreed to support a waiver of intellectual property rules at the World Trade Organization, a critical first decision toward boosting production and availability globally. Amid a global upsurge in cases, President Biden’s decision to open the vaccine recipe is a major – and essential – step forward. A step that is only possible because we made our voices heard. “This is a testament to the widespread public movement calling for an end to vaccine monopolies,” said Oxfam America President Abby Maxman. David – thanks to the support of the Oxfam community, we are one step closer to putting a permanent, decisive end to a pandemic that has left no part of the world untouched. Together, we’re also continuing our efforts to respond to the COVID-19 crisis globally and to fight poverty and injustice. Read more about Oxfam’s work to improve global access to COVID-19 vaccines. As concerns about global variants of COVID-19 emerge around the world, more and more people and their elected representatives are calling for governments and pharmaceutical companies to temporarily waive intellectual property rules for vaccines and share technology to increase vaccine production. If nothing changes, 9 out of 10 people in poor countries won’t even have access to a vaccine this year. Countries such as India – where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and overwhelming hospitals. Despite their role as one of the main global producers of pharmaceuticals, very few of India’s 1.39 billion population have access to COVID-19 vaccine. “India is the pharmacy of the world, but it has been gasping for breath, choked by big pharmaceutical corporation monopolies.” says Oxfam India Executive Director Amitabh Behar. The recent announcement by the Biden Administration – supported by many Congressional leaders, world leaders and Nobel laureates – is a breakthrough for people in India and other countries that still lack widespread access to vaccinations. But Behar says there is still more work to be done. “We need every rich country still blocking a waiver on intellectual property rules to join President Biden and offer hope for India and many other countries that we are indeed not being left behind.” David, thanks to dedicated supporters like you, Oxfam is working to ensure that everyone has access to protection from this virus. Your commitment allows us to continue our push for a People’s Vaccine while maintaining our ongoing efforts to overcome hunger, poverty, and injustice worldwide. Donate | Contact us Oxfam 226 Causeway Street Boston, Massachusetts DONATE NOW