Toronto, May 6, 2021 – Save the Children applauds the Biden administration’s decision to support waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines and encourages Canada and other countries to follow suit as part of a wider effort to ensure fair access to vaccines for all.
Danny Glenwright, President and CEO of Save the Children, said:
“This an important step in ensuring vaccines can reach everyone, everywhere, including the most marginalized. Recent COVID-19 spikes in India and elsewhere have truly shown that no one is safe until everyone is safe.
“Children have been suffering in various ways for more than a year and the virus has forced them out of school for months at a time. This puts them at a higher risk of abuse, exploitation, or being forced into child labour or early marriage.
“Every effort to prevent this situation from lasting even longer is critical, and several organizations and countries have been doing tremendous work to advocate for this waiver. It is important that Canada follow suit and support the waiving of intellectual property rights, in addition to supporting the transfer of knowledge and capacity to increase vaccine supply.
“We still have a mammoth task ahead of us. Governments, organizations and companies must all work together and use every tool available to ensure all countries and all people have unhindered access to vaccines so we can achieve universal coverage. These tools include intellectual property waivers, non-exclusive licensing, and technology and skills sharing with manufacturers in low- and middle-income countries. Canada – and other donors – should also start sharing clear plans for how and when they will donate excess doses to COVAX.
“At the upcoming G7, some of the world’s richest countries have an opportunity to commit their fair share of the $66 billion needed to vaccinate the world’s poorest people. Only then we can say we are on the road to recovery.”
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Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.