Prime Minister,
Make the vaccine a public good. This is what health organisations, mutual societies, trade unions, NGOs and the 30,000 Belgian signatories of the European Citizens' Initiative No Profit on the Pandemic. But despite this, your government persists in preventing a structural solution to the coronavirus crisis.
This was evident once again on 6 July, during the Federal Health Commission meeting. The Vivaldi majority voted in favour of a watered-down consensus text that will do nothing to help resolve the global vaccine shortage. The text says nothing about a temporary waiver of patents and does not oblige the pharmaceutical industry to share its knowledge and technology.
However, the urgency is greater than ever. A deadly new wave of coronavirus is spreading across the world. In Australia, cities are going into lockdown, in Indonesia, hospitals are setting up tents to deal with emergencies, and the coronavirus is active in more than 15 African countries. The reason for this wave? The dreaded Delta variant. It is much more contagious than the original virus and very likely more deadly too.
According to estimates, the Delta variant will be responsible for 90% of coronavirus cases in the European Union by the end of August. The first effects can already be seen in Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. Countries with high vaccination rates are not spared. For months, Dr Tedros, Director-General of the WHO, has been sounding the alarm: «No one is safe until everyone is safe.» As long as we do not have the pandemic under control globally, the danger will remain permanent, here too.
How is this possible? The global vaccination campaign is failing. You are surely aware of the figures. Globally, only 23% of the population has received a first dose of vaccine. In low-income countries, that figure drops to 0.9%. Africa, home to 17% of the world's population, has received only 1.5% of the total number of vaccines.
The consequences will be disastrous, especially in countries with fragile healthcare systems, but also here at home. While the population longs for freedom and relaxation, there is a high risk of new variants and waves of infection. Travel restrictions, local lockdowns and disruptions to global trade will cause an economic catastrophe costing nearly €7.6 trillion. Furthermore, according to American research, the death toll could double if we do not adapt the global vaccination strategy.
How is it possible that COVID-19 is claiming more victims after vaccines have been developed that are supposed to protect people? Strive Masiyiwa, head of the vaccination task force in Africa, speaks of an intentional global system of injustice.
While billions of citizens are waiting for a vaccine, big pharmaceutical companies are making billions of euros in profits by creating a shortage in the market. They are artificially keeping vaccine supply too low and refusing to share their knowledge and technologies.
The recently passed resolution will not change this tragic situation. It is written in vague terms and contains mostly wishful thinking. Not a word about the TRIPS waiver and on the temporary lifting of patents. On the contrary, in consultation with the pharmaceutical companies that hold patents, you want to «strengthen mutual collaboration and the voluntary transfer of licences to produce together the maximum quantity of COVID-19 vaccines.» May we remind you that voluntary initiatives have never produced anything concrete? In May 2020, the WHO launched the C-TAP system, a voluntary platform for sharing knowledge and technology. One year on, the platform remains completely empty.
You may be hoping for a change of course from the pharmaceutical industry, but in the meantime, we are losing precious time. We need strong action, not kid gloves. Temporarily waive intellectual property rights, organise technology and knowledge transfer, support the establishment of local production facilities around the world, and distribute vaccines fairly.
Everyone is in favour: almost every country in the world, scientists, millions of citizens, Dr Tedros, civil society organisations, the Pope. Everyone is in favour. You and others who oppose this request therefore bear a huge responsibility. It is high time that the Vivaldi government changed its stance and joined the ranks of those calling for the vaccine to be made a public good. This will make it available to everyone across the globe and prevent billions of euros in tax revenue from lining the pockets of the pharmaceutical industry. This solution is not only the most effective, it is also the fairest.
Anne Delespaul, doctor at Médecine pour le Peuple (Medicine for the People) and initiator of the European citizens' initiative No Profit from the Pandemic.
Wim De Ceukelaire, director of the NGO Viva Salud
Carte blanche published in the original Dutch version in Knack.
