Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Vaccine for poorer countries
Germany wants to donate 75 million vaccine doses
While some countries are already giving booster vaccinations, many poorer countries are still waiting for the first dose. The international vaccination initiative Covax is now to receive a donation from the federal government in the new year – but according to Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze that is not enough.
According to Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze, the federal government will donate at least 75 million corona vaccine doses to poorer countries next year. The goal of 100 million cans set for this year has been achieved, Schulze told the editorial network in Germany. “But we mustn’t stop there. For the coming year we are planning a further donation of at least 75 million cans.”
The vaccination campaign in Germany will not be restricted by the donation, said the minister. “Nobody in this country has to worry about not getting a necessary vaccination because we are supporting other countries.”
The international corona vaccination initiative Covax should not only be provided with vaccination doses, explained Schulze. Help with logistics is also necessary. “The vaccination doses have to go into the upper arms, not only in the capital cities, but also in remote villages.” This involves building supply chains, transport boxes, refrigerators, syringes, disinfectants or gloves, but also information and awareness-raising campaigns.
The development minister also rejected demands from the SPD for the revocation of patent protection for vaccines. Patent protection is the “basis for successful research and development,” she said. “I would be open to it if it would help us now. But the manufacturing process for modern vaccines is so technically demanding and complex that exposure would be of no use.” In addition, the framework conditions have changed: in 2022 there will be much larger production capacities worldwide than in 2021.