Recently, EU leaders have criticised the US and other richer nations for not exporting enough, if any vaccinations to poorer nations who are in dire need of them. In particular, the French President Emmanuel Macron called out the US and the UK alongside other nations for not exporting vaccinations, as he believes the way to fix the issue of vaccination supply shortages is by increasing production and exporting more abroad to those in need.
Why is the current debate taking place?
As richer nations manage to vaccinate the majority of their populations, poorer nations are still struggling to do so as they do not have a large enough supply to roll out the vaccine on a large scale. The UK has managed to administer a first dose of vaccination to around 67% of its population, and the US 56% of its population. However, the 29 poorest nations collectively have only seen 1% of the 1.75bn doses that have been administered across the globe.
Leading countries around the world are trying to think of a solution that allows for everyone to be administered the vaccine, as soon as possible. Leaders in the EU, including Macron, are pushing forward that exports from richer countries should be increased.
The EU has already exported around 200 million doses so far, almost on par with how many doses have been administered to EU citizens. Nations like the US and the UK have not taken actions similar to this, which is what is being called out by Macron.
Macron called for the US to, “Put an end to export bans not only on vaccines but on vaccine ingredients, which prevent production.” He also believes that “The key to producing vaccines more rapidly for all poor countries or intermediate countries is to produce more.”
This comes just after South Africa and India push for patents to be surrendered to allow other countries to begin producing vaccines in their own countries. This was backed by the US, as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Will it be possible to agree?
At a recent summit held in Portugal, attended by EU leaders, waiving patents was discussed among them. German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that “I don’t think waiving patents is the solution to supply the vaccine to more people… I think that we need the creativity and innovation of companies – and for that, we need patent protection.” This statement was backed up by the majority of the EU leaders who also attended the summit.
Macron also recently criticised the UK for “blocking” transactions that sent vaccines over to poorer countries. Macron has also pointed out that the UK has placed restrictions on vaccine exports, which has been denied by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. However, information accessible to the public suggests that exports of the vaccine are indeed not being made at all. The EU has also called for the US to export vaccine doses before they waiver patents.
What will be done to solve the issue at hand?
As such powerful leading countries have different opinions on how to combat the lack of administered vaccination doses in poorer countries, they must meet in the middle to help those in need who have not yet received vaccinations. However, it seems as though there is still much more persuading to be done on both sides until we see them conclude on what will be the best action to take.
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