WHO lauds US support waiver on rights for COVID-19 vaccines
ANI
06 May 2021, 13:18 GMT+10
Geneva [Switzerland], May 6 (ANI): WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has praised the commitment shown by Joe Biden's administration to support the temporary waiver of intellectual property on COVID-19 vaccines.
"This is a monumental moment in the fight against COVID-19. The commitment by the President of the United States Joe Biden and Ambassador Katherine Tai, the US Trade Representative, to support the waiver of IP protections on vaccines is a powerful example of American leadership to address global health challenges," said Dr Tedros.
"I commend the United States on its historic decision for vaccine equity and prioritising the well-being of all people everywhere at a critical time. Now let's all move together swiftly, in solidarity, building on the ingenuity and commitment of scientists who produced life-saving COVID-19 vaccines."On Wednesday, Ambassador Kai issued a statement saying the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic required extraordinary measures to respond and that the waiving of intellectual property protections on vaccines was needed to help end the pandemic.