Deadly Fresh Threats of Covid Demand Equal Vaccine Access

A day after the US and the European Union-backed waiver of intellectual property right on Covid vaccine, on Friday, Gates Foundation said that there should be no barriers in equitable access to the drug.

“No barriers should stand in way of equitable vaccine access. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been working urgently since January 2020 with a range of partners to help Covid-19 vaccines reach as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. Today, with the heartbreaking surges in India and Brazil, and the lack of vaccines across African countries, it is clear there's much more to be done", said Gates Foundation CEO, Mark Suzman. 

To overcome vaccine supply barriers, the foundation has been increasing vaccine manufacturing capability in low- and middle-income countries, encouraging technology transfers between businesses, securing raw materials, and funding procurement and distribution to ensure that safe and efficient vaccines reach people everywhere.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed more than $1.75 billion to the global response to Covid-19, including more than $300 million for the growth, manufacture, and procurement of vaccines, tests, and medicines to ensure fair and timely delivery. The foundation has also made forgivable loans worth up to $300 million to enable the manufacture of up to 200 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines for low- and middle-income countries.

Bill and Melinda, the mega-billionaire couple, declared their divorce earlier this week after 27 years of marriage. As a result, there are growing questions about the future of their immense fortune.